My boyfriends boss is threatening to fire him from his job because of an outside investigation on him. He has not missed any work because of it, but they have asked his work for his empoloyment records and interviewed some of his coworkers about him.
2006-12-08 06:15:24 · 11 answers · asked by wendyb204 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
This is very frusterating because he had nothing to do with this crime but yet may lose his job over it.
2006-12-08 06:26:39 · update #1
Seriously, how in America can this happen?!?!?!?
2006-12-08 06:32:31 · update #2
Unless convicted they can't do a thing.
Coach
2006-12-08 06:22:47 · answer #1 · answered by Thanks for the Yahoo Jacket 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Yes it is--if you are in an "at will" state like Florida, where I live--they can fire you for any reason whatsoever except for discrimination/something that violates his federal civil rights. These are things like religion, gender, a handicap like blindness, etc. Technically, if the police are conducting an investigation that requires them to question co-workers--especially if they are working at the time, then the investigation itself is probably being seen by the company as not in its best interests, damaging to their reputation, and counterproductive to the working environment--and thus, grounds for termination.
The only exception to the above is if the investigation against your boyfriend was already in progress when he was hired and the company knew about it prior to hiring him. Then they may have no grounds to terminate and he may actually have a case against them.
Of course--all of this would be different if he were in a union--that changes everything. Contractually, he would have greater protections if he were a union member.
Sorry about his luck. Hope everything turns out ok.
2006-12-08 14:29:44 · answer #2 · answered by MMM 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wendy, this is exactly the dilemma I may be facing. If you are witness to, or have relevant knowledge of a criminal matter, the justice system has every right to completely disrupt your life & your future without regard to any potential harm it may do to your career, your reputation, your self-esteem.
A police officer said to me that if you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about. I am not that niave. I have factual information on a $1 million dollar corporate fraud scheme. I worked at the company and rec'd thousands of dollars in cash thru my bank acct b4 I knew of the crimes.
I see myself as a whistleblower, motivated to protect a dozen+ other innocent victims who don't realize they are being exposed to white collar crime. My future is at risk, just like your bf.
Because I am presumed guilty by association, & the cash deposits as well, I am literally scared to death.
I'm an accountant, so how likely is it that my boss in any financial service organization would look favorably on even a casual investigation of what I knew of this huge financial fraud?? Zip. I'd be out on street just for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
The police blew me off as revenge seeking liar. The very folks who could save my future will, I'm sure, come after me as an accessory to this fraud. I could lose my job, be forced to secure a defense attorney (which I can't afford), and deal w/ this not NOW but years from now.
The only advice I can offer is for your bf to research federal whistleblower protection to see if his situation would apply. Or, search crime victim rights organizations, both state & federal. Lots of info out there, just depends on if he's a victim of crime or a witness.
Personally, I say don't go down w/out a fight!!
2006-12-08 15:40:05 · answer #3 · answered by upside down 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most states in the USA are "at-will" employment states, meaning an employee can quit a job without giving notice, and a company can terminate an employee for any reason, except for reasons based on race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical handicap (that doesn't prevent completion of job duties).
To answer you question, yes, the company can fire your BF for being investigate in a crime.
2006-12-08 14:22:09 · answer #4 · answered by Jack C 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If he works in an kind of Financial company, ie Banks, Loan companies, the NASD may limit what the company can do if they have workers with a bad reputation.
This is always noted on the application or the contract of employment.
2006-12-08 14:27:29 · answer #5 · answered by khanofali 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
By association, it's putting the company in a bad light. Most employers have a clause in their employee regulations that say employees will not act in a manner that will reflect negatively in the community while on company time. With their records being searched that could be interpreted as such.
2006-12-08 14:21:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
At will employment is just that. If he does not have a contract saying he can only be fired for "ABC or XYZ", than as long as it is not discrimination he can be fired just because his boss doesn't like his tie, or wants to hire his son, or is just in a bad mood.
2006-12-08 14:21:13 · answer #7 · answered by The Teacher 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
unfortunately, it is possible. If the crime is serious enough and him being in any way related to the case may pose damage to the company image, in their eyes. If they have rules regarding criminal behavior, they would probably use it back themselves up.
2006-12-08 14:45:22 · answer #8 · answered by catwoman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless he is under contract, they can fire him for whatever reason they want (providing it doesn't violate established laws regarding sex, race, sexuality, etc). You are not entitled to a job!!
2006-12-08 14:22:52 · answer #9 · answered by Goose&Tonic 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on what State you are in, they can fire you for any reason or no reason.
2006-12-08 14:20:47 · answer #10 · answered by boredperv 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
no, but say it's something like murder or something huge like that, the company might "find" something to fire him for or ask him to leave.
2006-12-08 14:18:38 · answer #11 · answered by ur a Dee Dee Dee 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋