Can I be fired for being sick?
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Can I be fired for being sick?
I was given a doctor’s note to excuse me from work, and my boss fired me. I had received 1 verbal warning in the 3 months that I worked there, and my employer stated that my excuse did not matter. My employer also sent an email stating that if you are sick or experiencing any symptoms of the flu, to stay home.
Asked on May 26, 2009 under Employment Labor Law, Colorado
Answers:
BP, Member, Connecticut Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
You can be terminated for any reason if your employment was "at will" - meaning that you do not have a contract. It does seem odd that this would happen over one sickness - especially if you received notice to stay home when a sickness occurs. You can choose to take the matter further if you feel as though you've been discriminated against. If so, speak with an employment law attorney to discuss all of the details of what happened.
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