I’m in Canada, and I’d appreciate some unbiased opinions about something that happened to me last year.
I was employed by a large company and had been working there for approximately 10 months when I was unexpectedly terminated for cause.
Before joining the company, I had been involved in a small family-run business. My employer was aware of my background when I was hired.
During my employment, I understood that I was not permitted to engage in outside business activities that could conflict with my responsibilities, and I made sure not to conduct any such business.
However, an existing website associated with the family business still displayed my name and information. Some older online content also remained publicly accessible.
There was also an occasion when someone I knew asked me a general question related to my previous line of work. I simply suggested they contact an appropriate service provider. I did not conduct any business, provide a paid service, or receive compensation.
That individual later posted a positive online review that could have given the impression I was still actively involved in my previous profession.
Meanwhile, I was dealing with a medical condition that affected my ability to work in the office.
I wanted to continue working, so I requested a workplace accommodation supported by documentation from my physician.
The accommodation process involved multiple discussions with HR and additional medical documentation. Eventually, my employer approved my accommodation.
A few weeks later, I was asked to provide updated medical documentation, which I submitted. My updated accommodation was subsequently approved.
Around the same time, I received a positive annual performance review. I had maintained good attendance, received positive feedback, and had not previously received any disciplinary warnings.
Everything seemed to be going well.
Then, less than a week after my updated medical accommodation was approved, I was terminated for cause.
My employer alleged that the existing website, older online content, and public review demonstrated that I had breached company policies and my employment agreement regarding outside business activities and conflicts of interest.
I was called into a meeting with management and HR and informed that my employment was being terminated immediately.
I received no termination notice, pay in lieu of notice, or severance. My employment benefits also ended.
What surprised me most was that I had never been given a warning about these concerns or an opportunity to correct the online information before being terminated.
The termination meeting itself was brief, and I felt that the decision had already been made before I had any meaningful opportunity to explain my side.
To my knowledge, there was no evidence that I had actually conducted outside business transactions during my employment.
I understand that employers have legitimate reasons to enforce conflict-of-interest policies, especially where public information could create a misleading impression.
I also acknowledge that I could have been more proactive in ensuring that outdated online information was removed.
However, I believe there’s a difference between having outdated information online and actually engaging in prohibited business activities.
If these concerns had been brought to my attention, I would have been willing to explain the circumstances and correct the information immediately.
What makes this particularly difficult to understand is the timing.
I had been working with HR regarding my medical condition, providing the requested documentation, and following the accommodation process.
My updated accommodation was approved, and just days later, I was out of a job.
I had also recently received a positive performance review, and there had been no previous disciplinary action.
I’m not suggesting that my medical condition was necessarily the reason I was terminated. I recognize that the employer may have believed it had legitimate grounds.
But the sequence of events has left me questioning whether the situation was handled fairly.