Is it considered wrongful termination if I am fired for a mistake that was made over a year ago when I held a different position within the company?
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Is it considered wrongful termination if I am fired for a mistake that was made over a year ago when I held a different position within the company?
I was fired recently for a mistake that was made over a year ago. At that time I held a different position within the company and my most recent position had no bearing on my former responsibilities. Is this considered wrongful termination?
Asked on February 1, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, North Carolina
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Do you have an employment contract or agreement? This is critical, since without such a contract/agreement, you are an employee at will. If you are an employee at will--as the vast majority of people are; very few have contracts--then you may be fired at any time, for any reason whatsoever. Therefore, if do not have a contract protecting your employment in some fashion, your employer could fire you for a mistake made a year ago, in a different position. It may be unfair, but it is not illegal, unfortunately.
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