Should I mark yes for this question? (Advice needed)

[NYCdude]

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So I'm doing a secondary for a school and one of the questions is something to the effect of "Have you ever been dismissed or terminated from a job." And prior to that they give a warning that falsification of any answers can result in expulsion, etc.

Here's my situation: I volunteered at a place for about a year but within that year I worked part time for them for about 2 months. They had to lay me off because funding for the department was low so I just went back to volunteering.

Does this qualify as being "dismissed" or "terminated?" Should I mention it just to be safe?

 

[Hombre de Vitruvio]

So I'm doing a secondary for a school and one of the questions is something to the effect of "Have you ever been dismissed or terminated from a job." And prior to that they give a warning that falsification of any answers can result in expulsion, etc.

Here's my situation: I volunteered at a place for about a year but within that year I worked part time for them for about 2 months. They had to lay me off because funding for the department was low so I just went back to volunteering.

Does this qualify as being "dismissed" or "terminated?" Should I mention it just to be safe?

Not worth mentioning. Usually they want to know about expulsions for bad things. Take for example a teacher coming in drunk and yelling at students. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/14/math-teacher-drunk_n_5679599.html)

 

[mik30102]

Concur^, they want to know if you have had a issue at work that caused you to be fired. Laying off due to factors outside of your control is not relevant.

 

[DokterMom]

Concur^, they want to know if you have had a issue at work that caused you to be fired. Laying off due to factors outside of your control is not relevant.

... and because it's not relevant and because it's not a big deal, you should list it plainly ("laid off due to budget cuts, continued to work there as a volunteer") and not worry about it being misinterpreted.

 

[NYCdude]

Not worth mentioning. Usually they want to know about expulsions for bad things. Take for example a teacher coming in drunk and yelling at students. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/14/math-teacher-drunk_n_5679599.html)

Concur^, they want to know if you have had a issue at work that caused you to be fired. Laying off due to factors outside of your control is not relevant.

... and because it's not relevant and because it's not a big deal, you should list it plainly ("laid off due to budget cuts, continued to work there as a volunteer") and not worry about it being misinterpreted.

Thank you for the responses! I think DokterMom's suggestion makes the most sense. I'm kinda neurotic so I don't want them to find out that I really did hold some type of employment and didn't leave of my own volition and then have a whole ordeal come about.

 

[NYCdude]

I'm having second thoughts about this. @LizzyM and @Catalystik , do you guys mind chiming in?

Its a yes or no question so I have to put down an answer. If I put no, that means I've never been "terminated" or "dismissed" from a job even though I was technically laid off. Gahhhh.

 

[Ismet]

You should disclose it and explain that you were laid off due to funding cuts. Technically, yes your position was terminated. Explain the situation like you just did, and you won't have to worry about potentially falsifying information, plus it wouldn't negatively affect your application.

 

[LizzyM]

Beyond the y/n question, is there space for an explanation? If yes, I'd say go with what DoktorMom suggested. If not, I'd recommend answering "no" given that you have never been dismissed or terminated but you have been laid off due to budget woes.

 

[Catalystik]

In answer to the Y/N question, I feel that "No" is the most correct, given the information you provided. Even though you were no longer paid by the organization, you were allowed to continue providing your services there. You were not terminated or dismissed.

 

[DokterMom]

Agreeing with @LizzyM and @Catalystic -- The Yes/No part should be 'No'; but if there's room to explain, then do.

 

[NYCdude]

Thank you all for the replies!

 

[Hombre de Vitruvio]

I'm really surprised there are so many people who actually suggest saying yes. You were NOT terminated or dismissed in the first place, they simply no longer could pay you. You continued volunteering there afterwards.

 

[Ismet]

I'm really surprised there are so many people who actually suggest saying yes. You were NOT terminated or dismissed in the first place, they simply no longer could pay you. You continued volunteering there afterwards.

Isn't a layoff a form of termination? Wikipedia says so: "Layoff is the temporary suspension or permanent termination of employment of an employee or (more commonly) a group of employees for business reasons, such as when certain positions are no longer necessary or when a business slow-down occurs."

He was no longer employed. Yes he was able to continue volunteering, but there was a termination of employment due to lack of funding. It's not a sign that OP is a bad employee, if he just explains what happened.

I'd side with LizzyM and Catalystik as they are much more seasoned and experienced than I am, and I'm sure this kind of thing isn't what the school is looking for anyway. Saying "no" and providing this explanation would probably be the best course of action. But I'm still pretty sure his employment was "terminated."

 

[NYCdude]

Thanks @Ismet ! The only options are to simply say no or to say yes and provide an explanation.

 

[Hombre de Vitruvio]

Why not just call or email the school and ask them directly? Simple.

 

[NYCdude]

So if anyone is curious I called the school and they said that my situation wouldn't apply to the question so I should put "No."

"If ya don't know, now ya know..."

 

[ridethecliche]

@Ismet , I would argue that it wasn't termination since termination would have implied leaving the place altogether. Moving from paid -> unpaid status is more of getting a partial stipend for a short time. Termination, to me, implies leaving the company. Weird for a company to terminate you and let you stick around.

 

[Ismet]

@Ismet , I would argue that it wasn't termination since termination would have implied leaving the place altogether. Moving from paid -> unpaid status is more of getting a partial stipend for a short time. Termination, to me, implies leaving the company. Weird for a company to terminate you and let you stick around.

It's a moot point since the situation wasn't clear-cut and the school already said to answer "no." I just took it in a literal way. His paid position was eliminated, he was effectively terminated from EMPLOYMENT, but not terminated from the position. Just my viewpoint and I may very well be completely wrong in that interpretation.