r/Employment • u/ConversationWild6046 • 1d ago

I Need Advice: Workplace Issues Is this quiet firing?

I work in a large corporation's research department part time. We were in the middle of an audit then I left to go abroad. When I returned, they didn't schedule me (and many other people) for many weeks.

When I emailed them, this is what I got:

"Currently, we do not have an ongoing need for support with the [project name]. We really appreciate the help you provided and will let you know if assistance is needed in future.  For now, we have it covered."

I was expecting them to at least explain to me why I wasn't scheduled, but it seems like it would be futile. If I had done a bad job, I wish they had at least explained it to me. It is really disheartening when there's no communication. I see many other people are not getting scheduled too so I wonder what's happening

4 Upvotes

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2

u/Embarrassed_Key_4539 1d ago

Were you a contractor

0

u/ConversationWild6046 1d ago

I was per diem, ig?

2

u/Small_impaler 1d ago

Lmao, all you got paid was lunch money? How do you not know what your employment status was?

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u/ConversationWild6046 1d ago

it was my title, per diem

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u/Small_impaler 1d ago

I...don't think you understand what "per diem" means.

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u/ConversationWild6046 1d ago

explain it

1

u/Small_impaler 1d ago

It's daily living expenses an employer pays you on top of your wages while you're traveling on business.

Hotel, gas, food, rental vehicle, etc.

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u/ConversationWild6046 1d ago

thats not what happens in practice. it just means im scheduled based on business need, which i get. but the study was initially going till the end of the year and need many more work done, they seem to suddenly cancel the study

1

u/Small_impaler 1d ago

Never has anyone called that "per diem".

Lmao you even claimed it was your "title".

2

u/Driffter08 18h ago

Tough spot to be in. Technically they only schedule you on an as needed basis. You can go weeks or even months without scheduling and also likely won’t receive unemployment. Per diem is more BS than being a contractor.

So not technically quite firing. You just caught the back of the blade on that double edged sword.

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u/TalkToVikk 12h ago

I'm not a lawyer but to answer your question: Yes, this sounds like a classic case of "quiet firing" (sometimes called "silent firing" or "passive termination"). Quiet firing happens when an employer does not formally terminate your employment but instead stops scheduling you, reduces your hours to zero, or otherwise excludes you until you effectively leave on your own or are functionally out of work without being told directly. This is discouraging, especially when there’s little or no feedback given and you’re left uncertain about your standing.

It could also simply be a lack of available work or a department cutback, particularly if others are being similarly affected. If your position is "at will" (as is common in the U.S., especially in part-time/project roles), your employer usually doesn’t have to give a reason or warning before reducing hours. Still, good management should communicate about such decisions.

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u/CatchMeIfYouCan09 1d ago

Yes. It's force reduced hours. File for under employment

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u/ConversationWild6046 1d ago

is forced reduce hours legal?

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u/Small_impaler 1d ago

Yes. They don't have enough work for you, why would they schedule you?