Can an employer fire me even if I have an approved time off due to doctor’s appointment?
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Can an employer fire me even if I have an approved time off due to doctor’s appointment?
I requested a time off 3 days ahead of time due to my medical condition. I had a doctor’s note and everything. This had been approved by my employerbut before I went back to work I got a phone call from my employer that I was terminated. Can they do that?
Asked on August 13, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Nevada
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
A doctor's note does not automatically exempt an employee from work. It is up to their company as to whether or not to excuse such an absence. And even if such an absence is initially approved by an employer, it can later revoke such approval. Accordingly, unless you had PTO (i.e. sick and/or vacation days) to cover this time out, your employer was within its rights to discharge you. While seemingly unfair, it was legal. The fact is that an employee can be fired for any reason or no reason at all, with or without notice. This is true unless such an action constitutes some form of legally actionable discrimination or is contrary to the terms of a union/collective bargaining agreement or an employment contract.
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