How do I know if my termination was legal?
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How do I know if my termination was legal?
I’m very much aware that this is an at will state and I can be fired at any time for any reason. However, I worked at a store where the policy was whoever is closing that night decides whether or not the people that are working earlier shifts can leave. When I switched stores I assumed it was the same policy, it was the same store about a town away. However, today I was called in and fired, with no warning, for leaving early from shifts where I was told by the person closing the shift, that we weren’t busy and I could go. I tried to explain that to my manager and she told me that the person didn’t have the authority to tell me that, which is very confusing to me since it was usually him approaching me and saying I could leave early if I wanted since we weren’t busy. Also, he and many others have left early without anyone making a fuss either. Again, I’m aware I probably don’t have a case but I just wanted to make sure. Can they change the policy like that for one person? Additionally, the general manager at my old store didn’t like me, which was why I transferred stores, and she was recently promoted to corporate. When I was fired, my manager said,
Asked on November 21, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Indiana
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Unless your treatment was due to some form of legally actionable discrimination (i.e. based on your race, religion, disability, age, etc.), then your termination appears to have been lawful. Also, your discharge must not have violated any union agreement or employment contract that may have been in effect at the time. The fact is that in an "at will" work relationship, a company can set the terms of employment much as it sees fit.
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