If the employer refuses to tell you why you were fired, or tells prospective employers other reasons later, you may have grounds for a lawsuit under the laws of these states. If the company fails to respond to your request, you may be entitled to damages after sending such a letter. Learn who made the decision to fire you. Often, however, short of commencing a lawsuit, there may be little you can do other than negotiate a better severance package. Ask to see your personnel file.
Some states permit terminated workers to review and copy the contents of their personnel files.
Sometimes these files do not support firing decisions because they contain favorable recommendations and comments. If this occurs, you may have a strong case against the former employer for breach of contract. If you have received excellent performance reviews and appraisals and the file indicates you received merit salary increases, you can use this information to contest the firing, negotiate more severance, obtain a favorable letter of recommendation, or better prepare you for future interviews with prospective employers. If promises regarding job security were previously given, recall the time, place, and whether these statements were made in the presence of witnesses. Request an additional negotiating session to discuss your severance package.