[pfloyd]

Well, I got hired at a local firm for a probationary period of 90 days. The partners basically handed tax files to me and I tried my best to do the work without any errors. Unfortunately, I did make some errors and the one boss didn’t appreciate it. However, he was starting to finally warm up to me and help me out. This past week he told me that I didn’t fit in with the culture because I was the only young adult working there and they didn’t have time to train me and to not take it personally. Now I have to move off, but at least I have some experience. It is a little discouraging and having to balance more of my funds now since I lost my job. What do you guys think would be the best way to frame why I left or was let go in my future interviews. I am optimistic because I feel the next position I land will lead to an illustrious career. I was just inquiring if anyone had any interview advice.

AUD 5/27/16 74 &#%!! 7/13/2016 86!
BEC 8/17/2016
FAR 11/04/2015 73, 1/4/2016 75 (phew!)
REG 2/26/2016 74. 4/2/2016 79

[Missy]

You can also find a great deal of information on LinkedIn searching by company and looking for employees but I use that as a last resort because I worry I'll forget to change my privacy settings to private and I don't want to show up on who's looking at your profile. For new hires I'm looking for reccomendations on their LinkedIn profile, they actually do matter if you can get some. My boss joking refers to me as the Nancy Drew of HR but I can tell you who works for my company and has their resume publicly posted (ugh why don't people THINK) and with two more layoffs looming those will be the first people considered to go.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[MasterOfTaxation]

Just wanted to point out since Brickell mentioned minorities. In my market being a minority is a major plus. White males like myself are throwaways. Diversity is a big buzz word. Most of the firms I interviewed with were mostly attractive white females (in tax). The largest minority group next in line were Asian females – mostly Vietnamese since there's a large population in my town. I've never met a black tax accountant in public accounting – male or female. But the most common characteristic I noticed was “attractive female” of any race. Even ones that were seemingly less capable, had lower grades, etc.

[Missy]

And by the way if he actually pointed to your age as a reason for dismissal he broke the law. Did they ask you to sign anything upon termination? Granted age discrimination usually goes the other way and being young isn't a protected class but still broke the law. Probably not worth pursuing because it's just your word against his unless you've got any of it in writing but it's definitely not an environment to stay in so they did you a favor by showing their true colors so early on.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[MasterOfTaxation]

Age discrimination is a difficult thing to prove and there's been very few lawsuits successful in that area. I can tell you it's real and I've begun to experience it for the first time in my life as I am in my forties. The most recent lawsuit attracting attention is against PwC: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pricewaterhouse-lawsuit-age-idUSKCN0XP2Y2

There was also an article about it in the Wall Street Journal so it's making headlines.

[Missy]

The reason you don't hear much about lawsuits isn't because it's hard to prove but because most employers offer severance and as a condition of receiving severance the terminated employee has to sign a separation agreement releasing the employer from all future claims (which is why employees over 40 are legally given longer to sign the agreement to give them time to consult with an attorney first). If you contact an attorney prior to termination the very first question is are you giving severance and you SHOULD if you don't want to be involved in defending a lawsuit.Usually the severance works out better than a lawsuit because it's not guaranteed and the damages less legal fees aren't much better.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[MasterOfTaxation]

I was talking about age discrimination on the front end – discrimination against hiring older people. That's what the lawsuit is about and what I have personally experienced.

[Author]

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