You don't need to have ever been fired to know that it's a situation you want to avoid. Luckily, one lawyer has shared the 'magic words' which could stop it from happening.
Of course, this preventative measure probably depends on what you've done to make your employers want to fire you.
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If it seems personal, then these words might just save your job. If you've been caught red handed embezzling or leaking sensitive information, then chances are you're going to be out the door either way.
However, this advice from lawyer and TikToker Ryan (@attorneyryan) could at least give you a fighting chance.
The attorney, who is CEO of Centurion Trial Attorneys in California, has gained millions of followers by sharing legal tips online, and last week he directed his advice at workers who might be in trouble with their bosses.
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In the clip, the lawyer offered up a 'script' for people to memorize if they're called into a meeting that 'might result in you being disciplined or fired'.
Ryan added a caption on the video which explained that his 'magic words' might just 'save your job', and explained: "You gotta memorize this script, because if you know when to use it, it can stop you from getting fired.
"If you do get fired anyway, after you say the script, you can legally nullify that termination. It doesn't count."
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Ryan warned that the script only works for workers who are in a union, but if that's you, then you have a right to have your union rep present if you're called in to a meeting.
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The lawyer made clear that you'll need to make your employer know you're aware of this right, by saying the following 'magic words': "If this meeting may result in me being terminated or disciplined, I request to have my union rep present, and I will not engage in this process until I have adequate time to meet with them."
Ryan pointed out that HR and management are 'not legally obligated' to inform workers of this right, meaning it's all on you.
Viewers praised the lawyer's advice after he shared his video, with one viewer who identified themselves as a union rep writing: "As a Union rep, this is facts. Weingartens are key!"
'Weingarten rights' is the term commonly used to refer to employees' right to request their representatives.
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According to the National Labor Relations Board, Weingarten representatives are 'entitled to provide advice and active assistance to employees during investigatory interviews'.
If employers proceed with a meeting while refusing their workers' request to have a representative present, they are in violation of the National Labor Relations Act.
Emily Brown