Can my employer fire me for not coming to a company party for which I am not paid to attend?
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Can my employer fire me for not coming to a company party for which I am not paid to attend?
Also, can they pass me up on awards and promotions due to my not coming?
Asked on October 18, 2015 under Employment Labor Law, Ohio
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
Unfortunately, you can be fired for this. It perfectly permissable for your employer to mandate your attendance at social events outside of normal work hours. The fact is that most work relationships are "at will". This means that an employer can set the terms and conditions of employment much as it sees fit. This includes mandatory attendance at company functions. For their part, an employee can comply and attend, quit, or risk termination. As stated above non-attendence can be a grounds for termiation. In fact you can be fired for this reasom, any reason or no reason at all. Of course this assumes that you have no protection under company policy, a union or collective bargaining agreement, or employment contract.
Note If you are a non-exempt employee typically paid hourly, then you must be paid for the time that you are at the even unless it is truly optional.
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