36
You're Terminated When You Have a Personal Burden

STRATEGY

If you're someone with a special personal need and you find yourself being terminated, it's important to channel your anger and fear. Your goal is to do everything you possibly can to provide for your dependents. That may mean seeming ungrateful or appearing vengeful. If the company makes some gesture in acknowledgement of your situation, such as offering to pick up the cost of COBRA, don't hesitate to say it's insufficient and ask for more. And if the company offers nothing other than sympathy, consider threatening legal action. Understand that it's unlikely you actually have any legal leverage in this case. However, the threat of being sued by a vengeful aggrieved former employee with a very sympathetic story to tell should be enough to extract a better severance package. Ironically, the less actual legal leverage you have the more aggressive you need to be in threatening action.

TACTICS

  • Attitude: Channel your anger and fear and be as businesslike as possible.
  • Preparation: You won't have time to prepare in advance if you're surprised. Ask for a delay if necessary and use that time to prepare your requests and seek out legal advice.
  • Timing: You'll have no control over the initial termination. However, feel free to delay discussions over your package until a subsequent meeting.
  • Behavior: Don't worry about seeming ungrateful or appearing vengeful. Do what you need to for your family.
Flow diagram depicting a course of action for 36. You're Terminated When You Have a Personal Burden with an opening statement, situations, and responses.

ADAPTATIONS

This script can be modified to:

  • Deal with any institutional decisions that negatively impact your ability to care for your dependents.

KEY POINTS

  • Your goal is to do everything you possibly can to provide for your dependents.
  • Don't worry about seeming ungrateful or appearing vengeful.
  • If the company makes some gesture in acknowledgement of your situation, say it's insufficient and ask for more.
  • If the company offers nothing other than sympathy, consider threatening legal action.