if I purchased car for work but was then laid off 2 weeks later, do I have a claim against my former employer?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
if I purchased car for work but was then laid off 2 weeks later, do I have a claim against my former employer?
One of my job requirements was that I had a reliable vehicle because I did service work at clients locations. My car was in bad shape so I ask my manager if there were any pending layoffs before I went out and purchased a new car. He assured me there was not, but did qualify it by saying anything can happen. I bought a new car and 2 weeks later I was let go. Do I have any claim against my former employer?
Asked on June 1, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
No, you most likely do not have a claim, for two reasons:
1) First, the manager said "anything can happen"--e.g. the manager did not give you a contract, or even a firm promise, of continued employment. In the absence of a firm promise or contract, there would be no liability.
2) Even if it were to be held by a court (if you sued) that what the manager said was a firm-enough promise to otherwise actually support liability, such as under the theory of "promissory estoppel" (which can sometimes enforce promises even when there is no actual contract), you state that you had a car, even if it was in bad shape; and you also do not indicate that the employer told you that you had to buy a new car. In short, buying a new car was your choice--you were not required to buy a car then for work. Since it was your choice--even if would have been a good choice or the right choice--the employer would not be liable for it.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.