If I was fired by my employer for taking a couple of wine glasses at a banquet thrown by the chamber of commerce as souvenirs, could this be wrongful termination?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If I was fired by my employer for taking a couple of wine glasses at a banquet thrown by the chamber of commerce as souvenirs, could this be wrongful termination?
I have been an outstanding employee and was never reprimanded for anything. Just like any other person who has done this at some point and time, I took these as souvenirs.
Asked on January 31, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Arkansas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The only important question, unfortunately, is whether you had an employment contract. If you did, you could only be fired in accordance with the terms of that contract.
However, if you did not have a contract, you are an employee at will. As the term implies, an employee at will may be fired at will--at any time, for any reason, such as employer disapproval over you having taken the wine glasses. It does not matter if previously you have been an outstanding employee; your employer would be able to fire you over this, if it chose, in the absence of a contract to the contrary.
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.