CHICAGO (WBBM) — As the economy slows and the job market weakens, more employees will find themselves suddenly out of work. WBBM’s Regine Schlesinger has been talking with a Chicago lawyer who says workers should know their rights. Howard Emmerman, an attorney at Chicago law firm Beerman, Swerdlowe, says most laid off employees never see it coming.

No matter how much of a shock, Emmerman says, the fired employee should keep a paper trail. Don’t be embarrassed to take notes while your boss is telling you you’re being let go. That person is now your potential adversary. Next, make a formal request to inspect your personnel file. You have the right to see it within 7 days of filing a written request. And he advises seeing a lawyer to find out about rights you might not even realize you have related to severance and other matters.

Source: www.wbbm780.com