I really want to take legal action against my former employer, but not sure if I can because I was an "at-will" employee (an employee that can be let go for any reason). It does not seem right for them to let me go after an accident occured that I will not take all the blame for.
2007-12-03 11:38:23 · 8 answers · asked by male in the USA 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yes. At-will means that an employee can be fired for any reason except for those protected by other law such as race, religion, or gender. Unfortunately, "blamed for something that wasn't your fault" is not one of those protected categories.
I agree that this isn't right, but the right thing is not always legally mandated.
2007-12-03 11:42:25 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes they can. Unfortunately, an "At-Will" employee may be fired for any reason or no reason, so long as it's not an illegal reason (such as on the basis of race, religion, age, gender, whistle-blower status, etc.).
If the boss walks in and doesn't like their tie . . . they can fire them.
If the boss is in a bad mood . . . fired.
If the boss thinks firing people is fun . . . fired.
It's an unfortunate situation and they may be entitled to unemployment benefits depending on the circumstances, but it's pretty much the status of the law in the majority of US states.
2007-12-03 11:52:42 · answer #2 · answered by Oppenheimer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like somebody became into searching for an excuse to get rid of him. If he used the internet for something different than artwork, that's irrelevant. however the punishment is a ways too harsh for the crime. The boss could desire to easily say "do no longer do this anymore." If human beings have been given fired for something irrelevant there could be no workers.
2016-10-10 04:32:27 · answer #3 · answered by sue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Employers can fire employees for any reason or no reason unless you aree in a union
2007-12-03 11:42:44 · answer #4 · answered by Joshot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your second sentence says "take ALL the blame for," which implies you might be at least partly to blame. They can fire you with cause in that situation.
2007-12-03 11:48:01 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely.
2007-12-03 11:42:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"at will" means either the employer or employee can terminate employment for any reason.
2007-12-03 11:46:45 · answer #7 · answered by ro 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not 'necessarily' your fault....?
'will not take blame for' instead of "I didn't do it"
You may not have grounds for a court case, but it looks like you have a marvelous future ahead in politics...
2007-12-03 11:47:38 · answer #8 · answered by u_bin_called 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋