Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

FIRED! by Steven Mitchell Sack is a non-fiction self-help and educational reference for those ever in need of guidance to “Protect Your Rights & FIGHT BACK If You're Terminated, Laid Off, Downsized, Restructured, Forced to Resign or Quit”. Sack has an extensive background in the industry as a respected lawyer for workers' rights and shares a wealth of knowledge in his latest book. Sacks breaks the information down into three distinct and interconnected parts: Part one, Determining When You Are Being Treated Unlawfully; Part two, Negotiating The Best Severance Package After You Are Fired; and Part three, Fighting Back. Within these parts Sacks covers a massive number of topics that include, but are by no means limited to, discriminatory firings, firings that are retaliatory, intended to deprive one of their benefits or for policy violations, being prepared and handling it with professionalism, negotiating and knowing what not to sign, resignation, unemployment and how your lawyer might play hard-ball on your behalf if it comes to that.

A member of my immediate family successfully settled a suit against a major pharmaceutical company who fired him under a ridiculous pretense after years of unsuccessfully pressuring him to retire. Ageism is real, and when a twenty-something firecracker is willing to take on double the work for half the pay of a company veteran of several decades, it is people like lawyer and author Steven Mitchell Sack who are the heroes that walk into a boardroom with a crisp Windsor knot instead of a cape and save the day. This is an excellent resource with so much more information than I've ever seen in a guide like this, and the fact that is completely up to date, easy to follow and understand, and packed with sample letters puts it at the top of its class. Most interesting to me in Fired! is the chapter on Job References and Defamation Lawsuits. It was surprising to read how courts have sided with former employees for defamation that is certainly passive-aggressive, but not what most would consider illegal. In the example used, an employer was clearing the former employee's office and when co-workers asked what had happened, he answered, “You don't want to know.” Do you see now why you need to be armed with more than just online forums and internet searches? Aside from assisting those in need, this book will no doubt be of benefit to those who work in the field of human resources, who are already lawyers but can use a brush-up, or people like me who just want to learn something new. Very highly recommended.