Am i introuble? Legal advise please!!!?

Question

Hi, guys!
My situation is like this... I got fired from my job for using internet for my personal things. That is ok I did not have problem with it. Then I wanted to delete 2 personal files from my computer (my resume and a letter) and the boss told me I can not do that because it is their property. The next day my co-worker went and deleted those files. They found out that she did it and asked her to write a report, in the report she wrote that I asked her.
This is a story. The question is: can they do anything else to me for that besides firing? Please help, I am desperate.

I am in the USA.
I am not worried that they will not pay me. I am worried that they will sue me. They are such ... thay can do anything.
And my fried was actually asked by my employer to go on my computer and check my e-mail. That is why she had access to files.

I am just so terrified. When he fired me, he was yelling and grabbing my hands. And my boyfriend actually spoke to hom and said that whatever our work relationship is, he does not care, but nobody gave him a right to behave like that.
THey said for me it was illegal to place any personal info on my computer (since it is their property) and delete anything. But I did not delete any company related files. Never!!!

My friend got a warning. She is keeping her job. She is ok. We talked and we are ok as friends too. Nobody knew it was such a big deal. We did not even think so. Shall I be worried about anything else?

GUYS!!!
Thank you so very much!!!
And yes, my boss is paranoid. He thinks that everybody is stealing from him or is trying to sue him. He told me that I am a thief because I was using the internet. That was pretty shallow of him.
Any way, thank you all for your answers, I have been worried sick over it. I really appreciate you all here at Answers.

Answer 1

No. they still have to pay you your wages and they cannot inform your next employer if they contact them for a reference (that would be illegal, and you could sue them for it)

Answer 2

I agree with PinkPosh. You placed your friend's job in jeopardy when you asked her to delete the files, assuming that she had to log in as you in order to access the files.

The computer at work and anything that belongs in the computer is the property of your employer. In the future, I would suggest that you save any personal files on a disc instead of saving it on the work computer.

There's nothing else your former employer can do to you since you've been fired. They'll have to pay you up to the date of your termination. As for your friend, you should cop up to your employer that it was your idea to delete the files and that your friend only did it as a favor to you. Hopefully, your employer will be lenient and not discipline her.

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glad to hear that your friend still has her job. there's nothing you should be worried about if all you deleted were your personal files. i doubt that your employer will sue you. he's using the term "illegal" loosely. while it was wrong of you to keep and delete personal stuff on a company computer, you broke company policy - which was why you were fired.

Answer 3

Your ex-boss "grabbed your hands" during an argument. In addition to his over-reacting to the issue of company computer usage, he assaulted you.

The person who should be worried about a lawsuit is the boss.

Right now the issue of employees using a company computer and accessing the Internet from the company computer is very common. While is may be against the company rules to do this, it is no longer the extremely serious offense (unless you are working for the government) that this once was.

We are finding, in Illinois, that most companies will gladly just discipline a good employee for this offense, than fire that employee and risk the chance of a lawsuit. In your case you boss put his hands on you (physical assault) and verbally assaulted you. Besides potential criminal charges, if you alleged that he treated you with such hostility due to discrimination (see www.eeoc.gov) then you could file a complaint against the company for his outrageous behavior.

Answer 4

To sue, there must be a loss. Your ex-boss has experienced no loss by your personal info being deleted from his company computer. Had you personally deleted company files, that would be different.

Ignore him, there's nothing he can do, if he approaches a lawyer with this he will be brushed off and possibly laughed at. However, he should count himself lucky that you did not press charges on him for assault. Because that is exactly what he did when he put his hands on you. If he threatens you anymore, you might mention that it is he who broke the law when he placed his hands on you against your will.

Answer 5

In most office employees are not allowed to put anything personal on an office computer. I doubt if they will try do anything to you. Make sure you take all of your "personal items" out of the office.

Find another job and NEVER, NEVER use company equipment, including the photocopy machine, for personal work. Take your time and look for another job.

Since you were fired, try to get unemployment, unless they told you they would deny your Unemployment Claim.

You can file a claim online or go to the Unemployment Office in your city. Good Luck.

Answer 6

It sounds like your former boss is somewhat of a lunatic to have acted like that when he was firing you. Fair enough that you got fired, but he still should have been professional about it.

I wouldn't worry about any future repercussions, either for you or for your friend. She got a warning - OK, that pretty much finishes that - and they'd look pretty silly trying to sue you over having your resume on their computer, or having someone delete it.

Answer 7

The problem (if a problem really exists) is not with you it would have to be with the person who accessed you old computer and removed the files. I don't know which country you are in, but in UK it is an offence for someone to use your login details to access your documents unless you are present. What is your former employer alleging?

Answer 8

First off, I understand that he fired you and was yelling at you. HE HAS NO RIGHT TO GRAB YOUR HANDS! No one has a right to put there hands on you. If it were me, I would bring charges against him. Call the EEOC in your state and let them know what happened. I have placed my resume on my computer at work. Big deal. I know a lot of people who have. I would not worry about that part. I would worry about going after him because he touched you and that is NOT acceptable in my eyes. My husband would have a fit if that were me.

Answer 9

I wouldn't worry about it. If they did try to sue you, they wouldn't win. And it would cost them too much money to try anyways.

Answer 10

all they can do is fire your friend...