If I just got fired from my job for stealing but admitted I had a drug problem, can I still be fired?

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If I just got fired from my job for stealing but admitted I had a drug problem, can I still be fired?

Asked on August 4, 2015 under Employment Labor Law, Pennsylvania

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 8 years ago | Contributor

Yes, you can. The fact is that being a drug addict affords you no legal protection. In order to claim employment dscrimination you must show that you are in a "protected class". In other words that your employer's treatment of you is based on your gneder, sexual orientation, age, disability, race or religion. Otherwise, your employer can hire and fire as they deems necessary.

The fact is that an employer can set the terms and conditions of the workplace as they see fit. And when it comes to discharging an employee, an employer can fire them for drug addiction, or for any reason, or for no reason at all.

The above holds true unless the employee's dismissal violates an employment contract, union agreement or the like.


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