I often interview prospective employees. What I am really asking when I say "why did you leave your former employer" is not anything about their former employer, it's "Explain to me why I am not going to be firing you myself anytime soon".

For Anita, another option might be partly what you already heard adding the "and this is why it wont happen here" bit.
"It was a very small office, and I needed to take some time off to resolve a health problem but once I returned I had another unexpected day I needed to take. The timing was bad and unfortunately it caused some bad feelings. What I've learned from this is that I need to communicate better with my employer if I need to take time off, and although I have had relatively little sick time, I understand that a business relies on people to be there and I wouldnt want to let anyone down."

That would work for me.

personally, I think your employer was unreasonable. But, if you explain too much and try to show that the reaosn you were fired asn't reasonable, the interviewr will be thinking "but that doesnt make sense. What is she not telling me?" Just explain why it wont be a problem for them, and smile.

I was working in an 'at will' position and terminated without cause. I was told 'things are financially tight' and you are in an at will position. I have been putting as the reason for leaving as 'budget cuts' but now I learn that they are getting ready to fill my position with someone who had worked for the company previously and decided they wanted to come back.

How do I answer the 'why did you leave' question in the interview? Also, should I contact my previous supervisor and ask what she will tell prospective employers who call?

A similar thing happened to me. I left early one day on APPROVED time, and the next day was terminated for leaving early since the reason I left was that the company didn't pay us and I had to stop payments to avoid overdraft fees. Loved my job, loved my co-workers....now I'm searching!

also, over here the goverment recently took 30 million pounds of tax money, called it expenses and bought bought things like duck houses and what not, see they lie al the time to get what they want why shouldnt we?

excuse me, i am off to purchase my reference.

of course the author would say honesty is the best policy, whats going to happen is the new employer is going to see you as someone who is always taking time off and not fit to work, no offence also take into consideration your age, we are living in an agest society like it or not, i say lie through your teeth, at the end of the day you arnt lying to your mother are you. as your boss would say, its business xxx

please excuse the above typo riddled rant.. I can assure you that all resumes and cover letters are properly SPELL CHECKED! lol

I am in the same type of pickle. I went from being ranked in the top 10% of my region to being put pn a performance plane and subsequentlly harrased out of my position by my D.M. {documentation on file with the EDD}. But what do i thell them? how do you explain a resume that screams acomplishments, awards, and recognition. to leaving the company where I was doing so well? I had 5 years with them and then in 4 months is was GONE? So am i honest? do i tell them that well... we didnt fit together he and I? then i look like i cant work with a varity of different management styles? AND now its been 3 years a nd countless.. COUNTLESS interviews, career fairs and hiring events and i cant get a job watching grass grow~ the feedback I do receive is So positive and glowing.. but they chose a differnt person.. help~~

I'm sorry that happened to you, Anita. I think the author's idea for an explanation is the best to give during an interview, though the The Work Doctor's is probably closer to the truth!
I'm pretty sure it's illeagal to fire an employee for being sick, four sick days surrounding a surgery is not excessive! If it were me I'd consider looking into suing for wrongful termination, but when you're low on funds and need a new job, that may just not be feasible.

Another possible response for Anita: The employer said it was poor performance and too many sick days, but who is to say my employer was being truthful. Your guess is as good as mine. I believe he might have been trying to cut payroll due to economic conditions and at the same time tried to prevent me from collecting unemployment benefits so his unemployment tax rate would not increase. A savvy employer.