Can you be fired for being sick?

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Can you be fired for being sick?

After calling my boss and tailing them that I was in the ER. He called me 30 minutes later and told me I was fired.

Asked on November 3, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Texas

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

Yes, in many cases you can be fired for  being sick--or rather, for not coming in to work. Companies are not obligated to give employees any sick leave or time, even unpaid leave or time; they can fire employees who do not show up for  work.

There are exceptions: no firing if the illness or injury was incurred at work; no firing someone because they are disabled (though most medical issues are not


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