Legal Question in Employment Law in Illinois
Wrongful termination.
I terminated from employment several months ago after 6 years with the same company. At the time, I was never told specifically what I had done to cause the termination. Even after winning an unemployment appeal (the hearing officer determined there was no misconduct and that I hadn't been counseled or disciplined for over 6 months prior to discharge), the issues still didn't come out in my employer's testimony. I have requested a copy of my personnel records, until then I really can't answer questions on job applications about why I was terminated, because I still don't know. I understand that Illinois is an at-will state, but don't I have the legal right to know the specifics of my termination? Do I have any legal recourse should my personnel file contain damaging and/or untruthful statements that would prohibit my obtaining future employment? Thank you.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Wrongful termination.
Your personnel file will not affect your future employment because it is not public information. As far as why you were terminated, I do not know of any law that will force an employer to explain its reasons.