What to do if I was accused of stealing and fired with no investigation?

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What to do if I was accused of stealing and fired with no investigation?

There is a cash drawer at the desk I sit at. There are multiple people that have access to this drawer and there are no locks on it. Money was thought to be removed, not even confirmed, from this cash box. The owner of the company fired me in front of other workers, humiliating me. I did not take this cash. At this point, I’m not worried about retaining my job as I am clearing my name. Is there anything legally that can be done?

Asked on December 12, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Pennsylvania

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

1) Unless you have an employment contract protecting your employment in some way, you are an employee at will and may be fired at any time, for any reason, even an incorrect or unfair one. So it is very unlikely that you can do anything about termination, even if the employer did not investigate or had no hard evidence--he could still fire you.

2) However, if the employer stated in front of other people that you stole--and you did not--that may be defamation; defamation is the public making of untrue factual statements about a person to others, which statements would tend to damage that person's reputation--such as being accused of theft. If you believe you were defamed, you may be able to sue your employer; you should consult with a personal injury attorney.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

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