Got let go today.... Now what? Update...see my latest post.

How many times have I heard this story. You've (safety guy) probably heard this a few times before. You are an idiot and walk. The only good thing that is going to happen at that fly by night outfit is you quiting. It comes with the job.

 

dispatch always tries to pawn off their retarded ideas on us drivers!!! they tried to do that #### to me the other day, i dont take it from them, i let em know who ####ed up and make sure they know it aint me.... i never been the type of person to talk #### to dispatch but you need to put em in their place every once in awhile to let em know who runs #### out here, it sure as heck aint them.. just make sure before u rip into them that everything on ur end is taken care of

 

All they can say are the dates You were employed. If for any reason they bad mouth You, You have a legal case against them. One way Companies get around this is to ask a former employer if they would ever consider hiring you back.Answer No- tells prospective employer there was a problem. Any more information than that, from a former employer, and you have a solid case. Laws against Blackballing. Very clear precedent, from what I’ve been told by a former Terminal Manager at a Large Carrier I used to work for. For that same reason when they fired someone, they officially would not give a reason.

 

There is no legal reason that is true. Legally they can state anything they want. Any falsehoods are illegal, but that's true for anyone, not just former employers (libel laws.)
Here's a primmer.
What can former employers legally say about me?

 

Regardless of whatever the link says, I’m going by what I was told by an old Boss of mine.According to him it was very clear, settled, and not to be taken lightly. In his words one of the first things he learned in College. The Company I worked for, without saying their name, is always on the winning side of every legal battle they’ve been involved in, including State Gov. And D.O.T. I think he knew his stuff. That’s why he was terminal manager of busiest LTL Carrier in town. Today he owns his own Co. Recently offered Me a local job. Like the regs, there’s rules, interpretation and enforcement. Not always black and white.

 

The small green hazmat book they should have given you would have shipping requirements for the hazmat. Depending on the quantity and mode of transport the rules vary. The little green book will tell you. Your dispatch should also have hazmat training and know this.

Having said all that, even if you didn’t need to placard the load and have the endorsement the shipper required it along with TWIC according to the shippers BOL. Document everything and get a lawyer involved if your livelihood is at stake. Like the others said, any coercion to break regulations is unlawful. Firing you for not giving in just strengthens your case. Don’t let some Sh#tbox outfit ruin your income.

 

Have a few beer then celebrate. Then find a job doing something other than trucking. Even flipping burgers will pay better.