What to do if I was fired due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time?
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What to do if I was fired due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time?
Some items came up as missing at work and I was videotaped going into the office. I worked in a college dorm at the front desk. I was in that area to get paper and since I put some paper in my purse I am being excused of stealing video games from where the paper is kept. I am on video going into the office and also putting something into my purse (paper) but there is no evidence that it is video games. Security staff, custodial staff, resident advisers and other employees have access to the same area but I was the only one questioned and fired. What can I do about this issue?
Asked on December 14, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Michigan
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Actually, there is probably not much that you can do. In an "at will" employment relationship (and most employment is at will), an employer can hire and fire as it deems necessary and sees fit. This means that an employee can be terminated for any reason or no reason at all, with or without notice.
That is unless an employment policy/contract or union agreement was violated or some form of actionable discrimination played a role in your treatment. Absent that, then I'm afraid that your employer's actions were perfectly permissible and within the law.
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