Is it legal for an employer to inform your spaouse of your termination prior to notifying you?
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Is it legal for an employer to inform your spaouse of your termination prior to notifying you?
While my wife was shopping at the store where I’m employed and she was told my the store manager that I am no longer an employee. I’ve have not been informed of this termination and scheduled to return tomorrow. Is it legal for them to inform my spouse of my termination?
Asked on September 16, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Illinois
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
While highly unprofessional, this action was legal. That is unless it violated the terms of an exisiting employment contract or union agreement. The fact is that most employment is "at will", which means that a company can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit. Unfortunately, this means that it can inform a family member of an employee's termination before notifying the employee themselves.
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