What are my rights regarding confidentiality in the workplace and termination?
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What are my rights regarding confidentiality in the workplace and termination?
I worked as an outside agent selling travel for a travel agency. Out of the blue I got a text from the owner telling me that I was no longer an agent with the company, no explanation. Then she began to trash me on the company facebook page and gave reasons for my firing to one of the other employees and her spouse. The spouse has sent out texts to other people telling them why I was fired but I have not been given a reason yet. What are my options?
Asked on August 15, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Oklahoma
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Unless this action violated the terms of an existing confidentiality agreement or employment/union contract, it was legal. The fact is that there is no right to privacy regarding the circumstances surrounding an employee's termination nor is there any law that says an employee must be given the reason for their discharge or told of it before others. The fact is that an employee can be fired for any reason or no reason at all, with or without notice. Therefore, while this behavior was certainly unprofessional, it was unfortunately legal. The only cause of action you might have in this case is if what your employer is saying/writing about you is untrue, in which case you may have a claim for defamation (i.e. libel/slander).
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