Can an employer reprimand and fire you for taking your sick toddler to the doctor and missing work?
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Can an employer reprimand and fire you for taking your sick toddler to the doctor and missing work?
This even though you provided a doctor’s note stating that you took your daughter to the doctor. There excuse was that my wife could have taken her but she had work as well and could not miss that day.
Asked on October 24, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Texas
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
First of all, a doctor's note is not legally binding on an employer. It can choose to accept one to cover an absence or not unless there exists an employment contract or union agreement to the contrary. This means that unless the worker in question used sick time, vacation or PTO to cover their absence, then their termination was legal.
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