If I was threatened at work by another employee and left early to avoid trouble, can my company legally issue me a point for leaving early even though it was for a safety issue?
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If I was threatened at work by another employee and left early to avoid trouble, can my company legally issue me a point for leaving early even though it was for a safety issue?
Asked on August 12, 2015 under Employment Labor Law, Ohio
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Yes, they may issue you a point or take other disciplinary action against you.
1) Your company is not there for your health or benefit. What makes sense for you is, unfortunately, irrelevant legally to your company. If you do something for your own benefit, even if it is very reasonable or logical, but as a result miss work, leave work early, etc., the company can discipline you for that since you were not at work when you were supposed to be.
2) This was not the correct response in any event: the correct response would be to go to your supervisor, HR, or, if need be, upper management, and report the threat. Leaving the way you did denied your company the chance to deal with something that could affect the business as well as you; and, as stated above, resulted in you leaving your workplace during your work hours.
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