Can I be fired for going to my doctor’s appointments?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Can I be fired for going to my doctor’s appointments?
I have worked for my employer for 4 years. I informed them I have to go to the doctor once a month at the time I was hired. I missed 2 days last week because I went to the emergency room and then followed up with my doctor. My mother who lives with me had to call in for me the day I went to the ER an when I was able I called my employer to let them know that I would have to go to my doctor the next day. Now my employer is telling me those are not excused and if I go to my next appointment I will be terminated.
Asked on July 14, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Louisiana
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Yes, you can be fired for missing work for medical appointments, including doctor appointments, and even if the employer previously let you miss work for them (what the employer did previously does not tie their hands or bind them). An employer is not required to let an employee miss work for medical reasons unless 1) the employer has earned, and uses, paid time off to cover all the absences; and/or 2) the company is covered by, the employee is eligible for, the issue, etc. falls under, and the employee actually uses FMLA leave for the absences. Otherwise, not missing work, even for medical reasons, is grounds for termination.
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.