If there is a state of emergency due to a winter storm, can a company firer a person for leaving early or not going into work?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

If there is a state of emergency due to a winter storm, can a company firer a person for leaving early or not going into work?

Asked on January 22, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, West Virginia

Answers:

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

Answered 8 years ago | Contributor

Actully it can. While unfair it is the law. Unless your treatment constituted some form of actionable discrimation or you had a union agreement, employmment contract or company policy that did not allow for termination under these circumstances, it is perfectly permissable to be discharged for wanting to leave early or not going into work in a snowstorm. This is true even if a travel ban was issued and you could't legally be on the road. As an "at will employee" you can be terminated for this reason, any reason or no reason at all. The fact is that employers generally can set the terms and conditions of employment much as they see fit. This includes requiring employees to work during a declared state of emergency.


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.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption