Posted on 03/26/2019 5:56:29 AM PDT by NewJerseyJoe
Same thing happened to me when I was a contractor here in Raleigh. But it was my own fault because I mentioned something about salary and the employees there didn’t appreciate it even though what I said was in Jest. My contracting company had to keep me on salary because I had a letter of appreciation and a gift from the company I was consulting to had given to me 2 days earlier. They gave themselves 4 weeks to find a new gig for me else they’d have to let me go. I didn’t wait for them, I went out and found my own next Job which was 3 times as good and lasted for 7 years. Sh*t happens and maybe by the time you read this you’ll have found a new job. Good Luck, Harpotoo.
Contract job, always subject to termination per the contract with the staffing agency. You were employed by the staffing agency, not the pharma company. Pharma Company has no reason to tell you why it terminated the contract.
Solution: put your name out there with other staffing agencies, put your resume on Indeed, etc. put your head down and go get another job. In today’s economy contract workers are more and more common. Keeps the company overhead down, able to bring in employees and move them out much easier (no state/federal laws regarding prior notifications, etc).
Good luck.
When you go on your next interview simply state that the "project's contract" got canceled. If pressed as to why you can offer that business projects get de-funded, stalled, canceled, and so on but you are not privy to those internal business decision. Nonetheless, explain to the interviewer that they can verify this with your agency.
Oh, and why were you denied unemployment?
Generally if you’d worked for your agency for a long period of time and you weren’t fired for cause, you should be eligible. Even seasonal workers, like fishermen or apple pickers, who know their job is only of a certain duration can build up eligibility for unemployment when their gig ends.
Just say the contract came to the end. You streamlined etc and mission accomplished
Anyone on a 1099 is not going to get unemployment, but you can make up for that with tax savings. Home office, mileage on your car, etc, really adds up. Also, PDJTs tax bill provides a 20% deduction for pass through income. I think even a sole proprietor can take it. I am not sure of all the ins and outs yet, but I am going to the accountant today to get it straightened out.
Were they paying into unemployment for you? If UE is denying your claim and if it’s because the claim you were terminated for cause you have a right to see what they are claiming. If it’s just because there was too little time you have a right to know that as well.
You have a right to know why your unemployment claim was denied and you have a right to appeal. For now, that is the best way to find out what the supposed legitimate business reason for your firing was, if there was any.
Easy for me to say, sitting on the sidelines, but I'd not worry about the "whys". Unlikely that you'd be terminated for taking a vacation day, unless it was commonplace for you to miss time - and you'd likely know if attendance was a problem. More likely that your boss was told by his boss who was told up the chain of command .... to cut costs. Or, to go with a new contract company. Or something else equally innocuous.
Unfortunately, you get to deal with the fall-out. Sometimes fate rolls us snake-eyes. No way to get around it, sometimes you have no choice in the matter. Where you *do* have a say, however, is in how you decide to respond to the situation.
The old job is behind you, it's time to move on to other opportunities. I'd not dwell on it during interviews, if asked - be honest - but something like "My contract was terminated" isn't a stretch. Line up some good references. If you're concerned about appearances, fill your time with something - take some classes at a local community college, volunteer somewhere in your field - that will give you something to talk about when the interviewer says "What are you doing now?". Network. Go to groups/meetings/seminars that are in your field of work. Or, get a job - any job - to fill the time, and get a paycheck. It's always easier to find work when you're already working.
Good luck. Doesn't seem like it now, but this too shall pass. And, years later, you may look back on what's happening now as a time of excitement, where you made excellent career decisions, rather than the current trepidation.
It happens. Smile, let it go, and move on. A huge positive is the Trump economy is humming, even in NJ. Start job searching, make sure you network, and go to job fairs. Join a local service organization and volunteer. Leverage your network and see where there are openings that a friend or colleague can recommend you and get your resume in front of the hiring manager so you get an interview.
You will be fine.
JoMa
If it was a contract job all you need to say is the company decided to terminate the contract and you were notified while on vacation.
It’s the truth and if they ask if you were given a reason say no they did not provide one. Don’t conjecture unless asked to. My only reply if they ask my opinion would be that the company decided to take a different approach.
I am in Raleigh, too. I was on contract at a not-as-large-as-they-used-to-be computer company in 2008. I got a commendation for my great work. One month later they had a panic attack over the economic situation and I got the ax. Two weeks later I landed a direct position that lasted until I retired in 2017. Better pay and benefits. I still have the commendation letter to remind myself what vacuous a$$h0les run these companies. FWIW, every time I got laid off I wound up in a better position, so don’t fret.
What is your family status and are you a home owner or renting?
If you are single and renting, then decide how much of your belongings you can fit in your vehicle, sell or give away the rest, and then drive like a bat out of hell to any other state.
Here is the unemployment rates, by state:
https://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm
“PS: my unemployment claim was denied”
A certain indicator your past employer says you were fired for cause.
The unemployment office can tell you what cause was stated.
Sounds like you are not an employee of the Pharm Company. You do not get a pay check from them, but rather thru the agency. They pay you and handle the withholding taxes etc. If you were an independent contractor you’d get a 1099 from the Pharm firm. The “at will” state of NJ is not relevant as you are not a full time employee of the Pharm firm.
I had in my Mgt days let contract employees I got thru an agency go on short notice from time to time. It was absolutely a Budget decision. Occasionally it would be a job performance issue, that appears to not be the case here. You being on vacation is not relevant.
When I had budget issues we always let the contract employees go first and not lay off the full time employees unless it got desperate. Full Time employees I had to pay severance pay and unemployment etc.
If your funding came from a Project budget, which could be likely in this case, either the budget for the Project ran out or the Project got cancelled.
The actual work you did may not be relevant as you were tied to the funding of a project budget.
Being a contractor makes a lot of employment law not apply.
Tell any potential interviewers that you fulfilled the contract of the previous job and leave it at that. That is a true and accurate statement. You could add that you enjoyed it and want to broaden your skills which is why I’m interviewing with you today of something like that.
“After working with X company for 6 months I was notified that my contract had been terminated.” When asked why just be honest and tell them the basic truth, you were not given a reason. A person interviewing you will know that this happens in all employment situations even with very well qualified workers. Don’t try to second guess why you were let go. Never provide more than what you know. That can backfire. Do provide detailed information on what your job duties were.
Did you receive any evaluations? Did the staffing company receive any reviews? Were you the only one let go at this time? Perhaps 6 month is a standard time when that company decides whether to keep probationary/contract employees.
These days I think most employers will be glad to hear “I have a clean driving record and I can pass a pee test.” Anything more is a bonus.
Tell the people you interview with that your contract was terminated. Most likely the people you were contracted through lost their contract!!!
This. Every single move that I've made - both forced and unforced - has wound up for the better. Even the jobs that I've *hated* advanced my career. And, I've heard the same from darned near everyone else I've talked to.
Funny how that works out.
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