Research, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
News on U.S., Russia, Israel, Hamas, Qatar, Taiwan, CCP, EU, Employment
News (1)
Putin expresses support for Biden's re-election Trump: Biden treated Ukraine as a gift
Reporter : Chen Chengliang / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/breakingnews/4579447 / Image : Trump viewed Putin's remarks about who he wanted to be elected president of the United States as a compliment. (Reuters file photo)
Which potential new president of the United States is more beneficial to Russia, current President Biden or former President Trump? Russian President Vladimir Putin answered Biden because he is more experienced and predictable. Trump took Putin's remarks as a compliment and quickly thanked him. Trump added that Russia would prefer Biden to be elected because he "will give everything to Russia, including Ukraine as a gift" and as we all know, among the past five US presidents, "the only one who has not given anything to Russia" , that’s President Trump.”
According to reports from Russia's "Sputnik News" and "Reuters", in an interview with Russian state television broadcast on the 14th, when the host Pavel Zarubin asked the Democratic Party's Biden or the Republican Party's Trump, "Who is more beneficial to us?" "Putin replied without hesitation, "Biden. He is a more experienced and predictable person, an old-school politician," but added with a slight smile, "But we will cooperate with anyone who the American people trust. Cooperate with the President of the United States.”
In response to Putin's remarks, Trump told supporters in South Carolina on the 14th: "This is a compliment. A lot of people will say this is very bad, not at all, this is good."
Putin said of Trump's relationship with European leaders: "Trump has always been known as a politician outside the system. He has his own views on how the United States should develop relations with its allies."
Putin also said that the U.S. election campaign is accelerating and becoming intense, and it is not appropriate for Russia to interfere in this process. "I think the domestic political movement in the United States, the election campaign is accelerating and becoming more and more intense. I don't think it's appropriate for us to interfere in this process."
Image : Putin said that Biden's election would be more beneficial to Russia than Trump. The picture shows Biden shaking hands with Putin when he visited Russia in 2011. (AP file photo)
News (2)
Trump wins six straight primaries, defeats Haley in Michigan
Editor : Li Li / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2024/02/28/a103857497.html / Image : On 23 February 2024, Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump spoke at a campaign event held at Winthrop Arena in Rock Hill, South Carolina. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
On 27 February 2024, former US President Donald Trump defeated Nikki Haley in the Michigan Republican presidential primary and won six consecutive primary victories.
The result was another blow for Haley, who suffered a double-digit loss just days earlier in South Carolina.
However, she still refused to admit defeat and vowed to persist until "Super Tuesday" on March 5, when many states will hold primaries.
After finishing her campaign in Michigan, Haley traveled to Colorado on 27 February in preparation for the campaign ahead of Super Tuesday.
After the election results were announced, Trump expressed his gratitude to the Michigan Republican Party. He said, "I am very proud of the results because they far exceeded expectations" and "we won Michigan."
However, Haley's campaign called the results a "warning sign" for Trump.
"Joe Biden lost approximately 20% of the Democratic vote today and Donald Trump lost," campaign spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas said in a statement. About 35% of the vote. That's a warning sign for Trump."
Biden easily won the state's Democratic presidential primary, receiving 78.6% of the vote.
Trump supporter Joe Bancroft said in an interview with The Epoch Times, “He is not a perfect person but he is a strong person. He does things a little recklessly, but that’s the way it is. Who do you want to lead this country?".
Bancroft's wife supports President Joe Biden, and when asked if she voted for Trump, she said, "Oh my gosh, no."
Sikorskis Douglas of Detroit, who along with his wife Sandy supports Trump, told The Epoch Times, “The Republican National Committee should donate all its funds to President Trump.”
The Sikorskis said they supported Trump from the beginning.
Trump's narrow victory in Michigan in 2016 was instrumental in his bid for the White House.
Recent polls show Trump leading Biden in Michigan.
News (3)
17 years in office! U.S. Senate Republican leader McConnell resigns, reasons behind revealed
Editing : Cai Bailing / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/breakingnews/4592632 / Image : U.S. Senate Republican leader McConnell said on the 28th that he will step down from office this year and end his record-breaking term. (Reuters photo)
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said on the 28th that he will step down from office this year, ending his record-breaking 17-year term. The 82-year-old McConnell is the longest-serving Senate leader in the history of the United States. However, he has frequently lost consciousness in public in recent months, and his health seems to be in red.
According to comprehensive media reports, McConnell has represented Kentucky since 1985 and has served as the leader of the Senate Republican Party since 2007. He has held this position for 17 years and is the longest-serving Senate leader in the history of the United States.
McConnell choked up and announced his resignation in the Senate on the 28th, and received a standing ovation from members of the Republican and Democratic parties. "Mr. President and my colleagues, I stand before you today to announce that this will be my last term as leader of the Republican Party," he said.
McConnell revealed that the tragic death of Angie Chao, the youngest sister of his wife Elaine Chao, the former U.S. Transportation Secretary, in a "traffic accident" earlier this month was a key factor in his determination to resign.
He said: "This is a particularly difficult time for my family... When you lose a loved one, especially a young life, grief often comes with introspection. Maybe this is God's way of a reminder that on life’s journey you should prioritize the impact we all will inevitably leave on the world.”
He mentioned: "I turned 82 last week, and my contribution is closer to the end than I would like. I am still defeated by the years, and I am no longer the young man sitting back and hoping that my colleagues will remember my name. At this moment the seat after Ii step down belongs to the next generation of leadership.”
Regardless of whether the Republicans control the Senate, McConnell, nicknamed "Grim Reaper," will do his best to fight against the Democrats. However, at the end of August last year, McConnell suddenly froze in public for more than 30 seconds and was unable to respond to questions from reporters and people around him, which aroused concern.
In July 2023, McConnell also froze for 20 seconds while hosting a press conference in Congress, and then left the meeting accompanied by his staff and other senators; in March last year, McConnell was in a hotel room in Washington. He accidentally fell at a fundraiser and went to the hospital with a concussion.
With a 6-3 conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, McConnell exerted a huge influence in urging the Supreme Court to end the U.S. Constitution's protection of abortion rights and expand gun ownership rights. At the same time, McConnell has never shied away from his firm stance on aiding Ukraine, and has repeatedly reiterated that he does not support former U.S. President Trump.
News (4)
Ceasefire likely to be achieved on 4 March 2024
Editor : Huang Qihao / https://video.ltn.com.tw/article/fNfIt4nE_fw/PLI7xntdRxhw0WAtjar8mbBJH6nFzOOxRb
The war in Gaza continues to rage, and the international community has frequently called on Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire to ensure the safety of hostages and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. U.S. President Joe Biden said on the 26 February 2024 that the two sides have started negotiations in Qatar and are close to reaching a consensus, and a ceasefire is expected to be achieved next Monday (4 March 2024).
According to Reuters, both parties participated in close and indirect talks, that is, they met with the mediator separately in the same city. This is the latest major sign and development after Israel publicly rejected the ceasefire conditions proposed by Hamas in early February.
Biden said on the 26th that the two sides should be able to reach a ceasefire within a few days. "I hope by the end of the week... my national security adviser tells me it's close, we're close. But it's not done yet and hopefully next Monday we'll have a ceasefire," he said.
An unnamed U.S. official revealed that the U.S. has been working hard to reach a ceasefire agreement before the start of Ramadan on 10 March 2024. The official also pointed out that Israel's recent meeting with Qatar seemed to make the situation more optimistic.
However, Israel and Hamas still take diametrically opposite positions in public, accusing each other of trying to delay. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said after meeting with Qatar's King Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani that his organization supports an end to the war.
Haniyah accused Israel of causing civilian sacrifices in Gaza's siege but continued to delay it at the negotiating table. "We will not allow our enemies to use negotiations to cover up their crimes," Haniya said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was ready to reach an agreement if Hamas gave up its unreasonable demands "from another planet."
In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu said bluntly: "Obviously, if we can, we would like to reach a deal; but it depends on Hamas, and it is really up to them now... They have to get back to reality."
The office of King Tamim of Qatar said that Tamim had exchanged views with Hamas leaders to discuss promoting "an immediate and permanent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza corridor."
A source said earlier that an Israeli delegation has left for Qatar to establish a negotiation operations center; its tasks include reviewing the list of militants Hamas seeks to release.
The United States is continuing to put pressure on Israel to reach an armistice agreement as soon as possible to relieve the severe threat facing the southern Gaza city of Rafah. More than 1 million people are currently stranded in Rafah, and Washington is worried that the Israeli offensive will lead to a large-scale massacre.
News (5)
Is the CCP’s “special forces” a threat to Taiwan? "These ships" in China are actually spy ships! Is "Hai Kun" a communist killer?
Reporter : Zhong Lihua / https://video.ltn.com.tw/article/YNIjP5cti0Q/PLI7xntdRxhw0WAtjar8mbBJH6nFzOOxRb
The Mainland Affairs Council stated in the latest "Report on the Situation in Mainland China" that the Communist forces' raids on Taiwan's air defense identification zone have become normal, and they have successively compressed Taiwan's air defense space, actively implemented battlefield operations, and practiced countermeasures at the same time. U.S. military activities in the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. Last month, the Communist Army praised three key military units for fighting against Taiwan, indicating the trend of the Communist Army operating on battlefields around the Taiwan Strait.
The Mainland Affairs Council pointed out that in early January, the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China issued a bulletin of honor, commending 9 advanced military training units and 20 advanced military training individuals in the entire military. There are 2 units in the Eastern Theater Command that are responsible for the main offensive direction across the Taiwan Strait: 92858 Unit 28 Detachment ( The 28th Detachment of the 22nd Naval Submarine Detachment of the Eastern Theater Command), the 94657th Unit (the 26th Aircraft Regiment of the 26th Special Pilot Division of the Eastern Theater Command), and there is one unit in the assisting direction of the Southern Theater Command: the 56th Detachment of the 73022nd Force (the 1st Amphibious Regiment of the 74th Army Group of the Southern Theater Command, 56th Detachment of the Synthetic Brigade).
The Mainland Affairs Council explained that these three units are, in order, underwater operations, air special support and amphibious operations. They are all key forces in the fight against Taiwan. They show the trend of the Communist Army operating battlefields around the Taiwan Strait. Other main battle units will also be deployed in the battlefield. Appears in subsequent Honor Roll.
According to analysis by the Mainland Affairs Council, Xi Jinping met with US President Biden in San Francisco on November 15 last year. For the first time, he mentioned to the outside world that there was no plan to attack Taiwan in 2027 or 2035, but the problem would eventually be solved. In his 2024 New Year's message, Xi Jinping said, "The motherland will be reunified." ” is a historical necessity.
The Mainland Affairs Council believes that the so-called solution of the Taiwan issue "at a certain moment" may be understood not to refer to a specific time, but to a period when the balance of power between the United States and China is favorable to China, and resolving the Taiwan issue will become a historical necessity. The United States is the main factor. The battlefield is in the Taiwan Strait, and it also depends on the intensity and sustainability of the support for Taiwan from the U.S. government, Congress, and public opinion. Xi Jinping's remarks were directed at the United States.
According to James Stavridis, a retired U.S. Navy admiral and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, the CCP will not be ready to compete with the United States in a very mature way for about 10 years, although China is building a large fleet, more numerous than the United States, but considering the strength of the United States and its military alliances, this does not matter.
News (6)
The whole inside story of the negotiations! China actually demands this? U.S. experts call for "stopping the CCP"! (Submarine Haikun/228)
Reporter : Guan Shuping / https://video.ltn.com.tw/article/vSx2a6Wp9m8/PLI7xntdRxhw0WAtjar8mbBJH6nFzOOxRb
The British "Financial Times" reported on the 28th that Russia's leaked military secrets disclosed the conditions for Russia to use tactical nuclear weapons, including the enemy's invasion of Russian territory; the documents also revealed Russia's high suspicion of China. Numerous drills were conducted for the hypothetical scenario of China invading Russia.
This batch of documents includes 29 Russian military files developed from 2008 to 2014, including hypothetical scenarios for war games and military briefings on operational principles discussing the use of nuclear weapons. One of the briefings provided to naval officials set out a wide range of conditions for the possible use of nuclear weapons, including enemy invasion of Russian territory, imminent enemy attack with conventional weapons, and the destruction of 20% of Russia's strategic nuclear submarines. The briefing summary summarizes the threshold for the use of tactical nuclear weapons that combines many factors. It is when the Russian military forces suffer losses "to the point of irreversible defeat to prevent the invasion of the main enemy" and "Russia's national security falls into a critical situation."
Experts who have reviewed and verified this batch of documents pointed out that the threshold for the use of tactical nuclear weapons disclosed in them is lower than what Russia has previously publicly admitted. Although it was formulated 10 years ago, it is still important to current Russian military doctrine.
Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, a think tank based in Berlin, pointed out, "This is the first time we have seen a document like this published in public reports." "The document shows "If the expected results cannot be achieved through traditional force, the threshold for using nuclear weapons is quite low."
This document also reveals that although CCP China and Russia promised not to be the first to use nuclear weapons against each other as early as 2001, and the two countries have increasingly strengthened their partnership, especially since Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, Moscow’s security elites are still highly suspicious of CCP.
Documents show that Russia’s Eastern Military District has practiced various scenarios of Chinese invasion. In one of the hypothetical attacks by CCP China, the "Northern Federation", meaning Russia, could respond with a tactical nuclear strike to prevent the "South", meaning China, from launching a second wave of invasion forces.
The CCP Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied that these suspicions in Moscow had any basis, saying that the Sino-Russian Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation legally laid the foundation for permanent friendship and non-hostility between the two countries. "The 'threat theory' has no market in China and Russia." The Kremlin has not yet responded to the report.
News (7)
The European Parliament passes two reports emphasizing that Taiwan and the CCP are not affiliated with each other
Reporter : Lin Peiyun / Editor : Chen Zhen / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2024/02/29/a103857537.html
On 28 February 2024, the European Union Parliament passed two annual assessment reports on the EU’s foreign and security policies. The contents emphasized that Taiwan and the Chinese Communist Party China are not affiliated with each other. Only Taiwan the democratically elected government can represent the people of Taiwan on the international stage and condemn the Chinese Communist Party's attempts to use force to unilaterally change the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
The EU Parliament held a plenary session in Strasbourg and voted to adopt the 2023 annual implementation evaluation report on the EU's "Common Foreign and Security Policy" (CFSP) and "Common Security and Defense Policy" (CSDP).
Highlights of the two report resolutions include serious concerns about CCP China's use of hostile disinformation to undermine trust in Taiwan's democracy and governance, emphasizing that only Taiwan's democratically elected government can represent the Taiwanese people on the international stage, and noting the use of preventive diplomacy to avoid the Taiwan Strait's necessity of escalating the situation.
The parliamentary report strongly condemned the Chinese Communist Party's continued military provocation against Taiwan, reiterated that the EU firmly opposes any unilateral measures to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, and emphasized that CCP China's territorial claims have no basis in international law. In addition, the report encourages EU member states to increase the frequency of free navigation missions in the Taiwan Strait and deepen security dialogue with Taiwan to deter Chinese Communist aggression.
The report also condemns the CCP’s obstruction of Taiwan’s participation in multilateral international organizations and calls on the European Commission and member states to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). and other relevant international organizations.
The report specifically draws attention to Taiwan's important role in global supply chains and the rules-based international order; reiterates the European Parliament's long-term support for the EU-Taiwan Investment Agreement and any beneficial bilateral trade and investment arrangements, and calls on the Executive Committee Immediately launch preparatory negotiations with Taiwan on a bilateral investment agreement (BIA).
The "Common Foreign and Security Policy" of the European Parliament was passed with 338 votes in the presence of 546 people, and the "Common Security and Defense Policy" was passed with 350 votes in the presence of 537 people.
News (8)
Biden's executive order blocks the flow of American data to CCP and Russia
Reporter : Yi Jing / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2024/02/29/a103857527.html
Recently, the Biden-Harris administration has stepped up efforts to protect Americans’ data. On 28 February 2024, Biden issued an executive order to protect Americans’ sensitive personal information from being stolen and used by the CCP, Russia and other countries.
The executive order issued by President Joe Biden on Wednesday focuses on protecting Americans' most sensitive personal information, including genomic data, biometric identifiers, personal health information, geolocation information, financial data, certain types of personal identification numbers, and government personnel-related information. material.
The executive order will authorize the Department of Justice to develop regulations to prevent this information from being stolen and used by "relevant countries." Bad actors can use this kind of data to track Americans, spy on personal lives, collect information on activities, dissidents, etc., and conduct illegal activities such as intimidation, surveillance, fraud, and extortion.
The White House did not mention in the briefing which countries the "relevant countries" specifically refer to, but according to a US official, this executive order mainly targets the Chinese Communist Party and Russia, followed by Iran, North Korea, Cuba and Venezuela. These countries all have a track record of collecting and misusing Americans’ data.
The White House said in a briefing that many companies are currently collecting Americans' personal data. Through legal sale and resale by data brokers, this data may be transferred to foreign intelligence services, militaries, or companies controlled by foreign governments, posing a threat to U.S. national security.
U.S. officials said that China and Russia were purchasing large amounts of data on Americans, and this executive order closed this security loophole. For example, he said that after the executive order takes effect, American technology companies will no longer be able to sell large amounts of genetic data to Chinese companies, Chinese state-owned enterprises or individuals.
News (9)
24 National People's Congress deputies have been dismissed within one year, nearly half of whom are senior military officials
Editor : Zhou Guihang / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2024/02/28/a103857426.html / Image : Chinese Communist soldiers. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
The Chinese Communist Army underwent a major purge last year. Within one year, 24 deputies to the National People's Congress of the Communist Party of China were terminated, including as many as 10 military generals. Three senior executives of military industry companies were also revoked as members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
On 27 February 2024, the Chinese Communist Party authorities announced that the qualifications of 11 National People's Congress deputies had been terminated at one time, which is a very rare number. Among these 11 people, 4 people, including former CCP Foreign Minister Qin Gang, "resigned" as deputies to the National People's Congress, and 7 others were "removed."
Qin Gang's "resignation" was suspected to be a "refutation" of rumors that he was "executed internally", and it was also speculated that this was a signal that Qin Gang would be "leniently treated". Another deputy state-level official who was dismissed at the same time as Qin Gang, former CCP Defense Minister Li Shangfu, has still been declared "terminated as a representative of the National People's Congress." The CCP's "Two Sessions" are about to be held, which raises questions about whether Li Shangfu will participate in the National People's Congress as a "substitute."
Officials who lost their qualifications as deputies to the National People’s Congress at the same time as Qin Gang also included Li Zhizhong, deputy commander of the Central Theater Command and former minister of the Army Equipment Department. There has never been news of Li Zhizhong's accident before. His sudden "removal" from the post of deputy to the National People's Congress this time shows that another senior general in the army has been purged.
According to official data, as of 27 February this year, the 14th National People's Congress of the Communist Party of China actually had 2,956 representatives, compared with 2,977 in the same period last year. This shows that in the past year, a total of 24 National People's Congress representatives have had their qualifications terminated or removed. As many as 10 of them are senior military generals.
These 10 people include Zhang Zhenzhong, former deputy chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, Lu Hong, former director of the Rocket Force Equipment Department, Li Yuchao, former commander of the Rocket Force, Zhou Yaning, former commander of the Rocket Force, former deputy commander of the Southern Theater Command and commander of the Navy of the Southern Theater Command Member Ju Xinchun, former deputy director of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission Zhang Yulin, former deputy director of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission Rao Wenmin, former commander of the Air Force Ding Laihang, former deputy commander of the Rocket Force Li Chuanguangyi, former deputy commander of the Central Theater Command Li Zhizhong .
Among the 24 people who lost their qualifications as representatives of the National People's Congress, only two from Liaoning and Chongqing died because of death. The remaining 22 people were all due to corruption or "political issues." Most of the 10 military representatives were dismissed due to the authorities' purges of departments such as the Rocket Force and the Military Equipment Department.
In addition to these 10 military deputies to the National People’s Congress, three senior officials from military industry companies were revoked as members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference last year, including Wu Yansheng, chairman of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Liu Shiquan, chairman of China Ordnance Industry Group Co., Ltd., China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Wang Changqing, deputy general manager of Industrial Group Co., Ltd.
As for the reason why these high-level military officials were purged, some rumors say it was because the military leaked secrets, some said it was because military corruption affected Xi Jinping's plan to attack Taiwan, but there are also reports that it may just be because of Xi Jinping's suspicion.
The Epoch Times learned from a reliable source last year that "Xi Jinping really believed in the prophecy and was very afraid of death. There were pictures of people shooting with bows and arrows in the prophecies. He thought they corresponded to rockets, so he withdrew all the Rocket Forces and arrested them." That’s the main reason.”
Many prophecies have been circulated in China throughout the ages, many of which are believed to hint at the ultimate fate of the CCP.
Among them, the last picture in the "Iron Plate Picture" (Tuibei Tu), a strange folk secret book, shows four black birds flying in front, and the fifth white bird fell to death on the mountainside, with blood splattering on the cliff. The text on the picture reads "The white-feathered bird fell to death on this side of the mountain." "White Feather" together is the traditional Chinese character for "西". This picture is said to predict the fate of Xi Jinping as the "fifth generation leader" of the Chinese Communist Party.
Image : The last picture of "Iron Plate Picture": a white-feathered bird fell to death on the side of the mountain. (zhengjian.com)
In addition, the "Ode" of the 46th image in the famous prophecy book Tuibei Tu says: "There was a soldier with a bow, who only said that I was a white-headed man. There is a golden sword hidden in the east door, and the warrior enters the imperial palace through the back door." This prophecy has been interpreted as a military coup that has not yet occurred.
Image : The 46th image and text of Tuibei Tu. (Epoch Times Cartography)
In the above two prophecies, the scene of a white bird splattering blood in mid-air and the phrase "a soldier with a bow" are all suspected to be related to the Chinese Communist Party's Rocket Force, which holds the right to launch missiles.
News (10)
Professional lawyer: 3 questions employees should ask their employers if they are fired
Reporter : Li Zhaoxi / Editor : Lin Qing / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2024/02/27/a103857142.html / Image : Professional lawyers suggest that fired employees should ask their employers three questions. (Shutterstock)
Many companies will continue to lay off employees in 2024, and many employees often go blank after receiving news of their dismissal. Craig Levey, a professional lawyer, shared the company’s human resources department Roles in termination meetings and what should be done by fired employees.
Levy, a partner at Bennett & Belfort, P.C., a law firm in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has been a professional attorney for 12 years. His firm represents individuals and focuses on resolving issues such as discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour disputes, and whistleblower claims.
Levy explained to Business Insider the role of HR professionals in the company and how they have three main goals when announcing layoffs.
He emphasized that HR professionals work for the company, the company pays them, and at the end of the day, they are most interested in ensuring that the company does not bear any liability. The goals are as follows:
1. They don’t want employees to know there’s a termination meeting
Typically, employee supervisors will notify employees the day of the meeting, and in some cases, just a few minutes before the meeting, because they don't want employees to prepare for it, they don't want them to prepare a list of questions, send out any electronic Email or download the document.
Then there's the "HR ambush," where employees are told to meet with their supervisor, but when they show up for the meeting, whether it's virtual or in-person, they see the HR person there and they're visibly shocked.
2. They want the meeting to be resolved quickly
They want this to be a quick and dirty meeting, ideally only a few minutes.
During the meeting, the company will notify employees that they have been laid off, their jobs, and when benefits will end. Beyond that, they didn't want to go into further details.
3. They want to make sure they don’t say anything that could hold the company accountable
HR doesn’t want employees to ask questions during meetings, which is one of the reasons they don’t give them advance notice.
In the United States, most employees are at-will employees, which means the company is not required to give them a reason for being fired, but the more questions an employee asks, the greater the company's liability if HR or a supervisor does not answer the questions correctly. .
Levy points out that some employees tend not to ask any questions in termination meetings because they are shocked and frozen, but should use the minute or two talking to HR or a supervisor to get as much information as possible. information.
He advises employees to ask three questions:
1. Why was I fired?
If you are a freelance employee, the company is not required to provide you with the reason why you were fired, but it never hurts to ask, and worst case scenario they will say, "We won't tell you." But sometimes they will unintentionally provide you with something Information that may be helpful if you make a legal claim against the Company.
2. When will my benefits end?
In most cases, benefits usually end immediately or at the end of the month, but you should know when they end so you can renew your health insurance and other needs.
3. Will I get severance pay?
You should try to find out whether the company will offer severance packages, and then you can consider whether you can afford to hire a professional attorney. At the very least, you can plan your next steps more effectively.
If you're given a severance agreement, Levy says it's a good idea to have an attorney review it to make sure you understand what you're signing. And you still need to evaluate whether you can make a legal claim against the company.
