Was I fired or laid off?

4 days ago my boss pulled me into her office for a meeting. She spent the first half listing my failures and mistakes. Said after 2 years its clear i am not going to improve further and so she was going to be laying me off. She then said she was giving me 30 days to find a new job and i could still work till then. She told me if i was able to find a new job before the 30 days she would give me a good reference and wouldnt mention any of the stuff she listed earlier to the new employer. If i was not able to find a job by november 22nd then she would fire me and would not give me a good reference. At the end of the meeting she told me i was a really well rounded worker and she knows I'll be able to find something, probably with better pay. She also said i didnt need to tell any of my coworkers and could just tell her when I'd found something new and she would tell everyone i had a great opportunity elsewhere and had to take it. I was left very confused by the end. I understand she is fully within her rights to fire me for performance issues and thats not where my confusion stems. I have already updated my resumé and plan to start applying to places today.  I guess my question is: what is my best course of action? Is unemployment something i should consider applying for? Was I laid off?I'm just confused about the wording she used and what my next steps should be. Thank you in advance to anyone who reads this.

JobAdvisor:

While your boss used the term "layoff," the circumstances of your termination suggest that it was actually a performance-based dismissal rather than a layoff due to economic reasons.

Key Points to Consider:

1. Performance Issues: Your boss explicitly cited performance issues as the reason for the termination.
2. Notice Period: You were given a 30-day notice period, which is common in performance-based dismissals.
3. Conditional Reference: The offer of a good reference is contingent on your finding a new job within 30 days.

Next Steps:

1. Job Search: Prioritize your job search and actively seek new opportunities.
2. Unemployment Benefits:
   • Eligibility: Check your local labor laws and unemployment office to determine eligibility.
   • Honesty: Be truthful about the circumstances of your termination. While you were given a notice period, it was due to performance issues, not economic reasons.
   • Consult an Advisor: Consider consulting with an unemployment benefits advisor to understand your specific situation and maximize your chances of receiving benefits.
3. Legal Advice: If you believe there was any unfair labor practice or discrimination involved, consult with an employment attorney. However, given the circumstances, it's unlikely that legal action would be successful.

Remember:

• Stay Positive: Focus on your job search and future opportunities.
• Network: Reach out to your professional network for potential job leads.
• Learn from the Experience: Reflect on the feedback you received and use it to improve your future performance.

By taking these steps, you can navigate this challenging situation and emerge stronger.