I was recently let go from my job after 9 years without notice, bad review, or pip.

Question

I was terminated the day before my nine-year anniversary, with my employer stating I no longer had the skill set required for my position. I am a woman over 50. I started as the organization’s only creative/marketing employee and built its Marketing & Communications department and internal media studio. I had never received a negative review, warning, or PIP. In April, my supervisor requested more creative strategy but did not provide clear expectations or measures of success. An outside consultant was hired, and approximately 4 months later I was terminated without seeing the findings or being given an opportunity to improve. I also recently completed what was presented as an anonymous survey about my supervisor, stating that I felt expectations were unclear. Afterward, meetings with her were canceled, and I was terminated a few weeks later. I received six months’ severance and benefits. I would like to know whether these circumstances warrant review for possible age/sex discrimination and/or retaliation.

Mary Ewing · Answer

I'm sorry to hear what happened. It must be painful to be let go after long service for an employer.

As you may know, Colorado is known as an "at-will" employment state. This means that an employee can be fired for any legal reason. To explain that concept more fully, it means that an employer can make a mistake about the value an employee brings to the company, or fail to appreciate the employee, or just decide to reduce the number of employees without there be action available. On the other hand, what constitutes an "illegal" reason. A termination for an illegal reason would include if the employee filed a workers compensation claim, or if the employee is one of a protected category under the Equal Rights Amendment, and was discriminated against or fired. This would include if there was evidence that the employee was terminated because of gender or ethnic background, or religious preference or due to age or because of a disability. You mention you are a woman over 50 so the next question becomes is there evidence of discriminatory conduct through oral statements or written documents or particular behavior that points to discrimination because of your age or gender. You don't mention such evidence but it may be that it exists. If you believe such evidence exists, you should consult with an attorney who handles cases such as this or contact either the Colorado Civil Rights Division or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Office to discuss the particular facts of your case. My best wishes to you.

I was recently let go from my job after 9 years without notice, bad review, or pip.

1 answer

Mary Ewing

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