Ask them if they would rather pay what they owe you or have the name of the company public in this context.
Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
61–70 of 297 posts
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#62Go ahead and explain the situation to the employers whose offers you turned down. Especially in the US, people will understand, and the offers should still be valid.
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#63> I like the founders - they are good guys. No. They're not. You don't get to screw around with other people's lives and continue to possess the title of "good guy". If they were good guys, you would be receiving tens of thousands of dollars for your difficulties, and such would have enough of a runway on that such that you wouldn't need to ask us for advice. Please do us all a favor and let us know who they are beyo…
I'd say you did the right thing in not saying what the startup was — it isn't wise to look like a bridge-burner when you're looking for work.
Why is the burden always on the individual to not "burn the bridge"? I'd say that this startup has burnt this bridge pretty well. It would have been perfectly reasonable for him to tell us who they were and for us to avoid them like the plague.
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#64You are not fucked. Do not say that again, do not repeat it, do you even think it! Pick yourself up as fast as you can and get going. Start hunting again, don't take too long and get back in the groove. The worse period of my life was the moment I made the mistake of thinking "I was fucked" took too long to come out of it, and all it took was starting to think, "I'm not fucked, I can do better, it's possible" Best of luck.
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#65well, at the very least, I think it isn't out of the question to be asked to be paid for those two weeks. If they made a mistake, shit happens, but they should still be on the hook for it. I'd even consider asking for severance of a couple weeks. They've hosed you, they should try to offset it a little bit. I understand that it probably isn't about the money, but I would hope they at least offered you that.
Even here in America you are required to pay wages for time worked unless there are extreme other circumstances. Even if the company has gone bankrupt, he is first in line behind secured creditors for claims on wages. IANAL.
If he was 1099 (not uncommon) then that changes the conversation. I know he had a title, but that often is little more than what goes on the business cards.
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#66well, at the very least, I think it isn't out of the question to be asked to be paid for those two weeks. If they made a mistake, shit happens, but they should still be on the hook for it. I'd even consider asking for severance of a couple weeks. They've hosed you, they should try to offset it a little bit. I understand that it probably isn't about the money, but I would hope they at least offered you that.
They have offered to pay me for the two weeks.
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#67If this is how the company goes about employing their first employee, I don't think they will be around for long. You might have dodged a bullet. If you got this job, it's extremely likely that you will get another. Don't get me wrong, it's going to suck to explain to people you promoted the startup to that you actually don't work there after all, but it's not the end of the world.
If this is how the company goes about employing their first employee, I don't think they will be around for long.
Yes, if he truly wasn't a good fit, it sounds like they hired too quickly.
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#68Besides all the nice advice that others have added, I'll give you mine: talk to a lawyer, and have him send physical letters to the company, and to YC.
The lawyer gives you two things:
1) He knows if you can be compensated for the damage;
2) It would give YC an opportunity to take care of this matter.
Oh, and by the way: I don't know their side of the story, therefore I don't want to judge; however, it is very likely that they lied to you - letting someone go after two weeks is weird, and I don't believe that "it's not about you".
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#69If you are on good talking terms, and it seems like you are since you mentioned the word "polite" a few times in your post, I would politely ask them for a severance package, in case one is not included in your contract. They can of course politely not give you one. Depending on how the conversation goes, you will be able to recalibrate the "nice guy" stick you are using to measure the founders.
Re: Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
#70your not fucked...there is basically an unlimited amount of opportunity out there for what we do.
trust me...i KNOW fucked...i got caught with some recreational substances a few years back and am probation for three felony possession charges. 25y+ of software development and it's impossible..IMPOSSIBLE..for me to get past any HR for ANY decent job.
so chill out...enjoy a week off...and get hired next.