Can a employer fire me for something not in my job description?
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Can a employer fire me for something not in my job description?
I work at a group facility for behavioral teens. They are served meals no where in my job description does it say I must sweep and mop the kitchen floor and do the dishes. They have just recently started making us do this. Can I ask for a raise for these extra tasks or say, “No it’s not in my job description” or can they fire me for not doing what I’m asked?
Asked on November 30, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Florida
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If your employer asks you should do it. If you don't you risk losing your job. In an "at will" employment relationship, an employer can set the terms and conditions much as it sees fit; this includes changing job duties, with or without a corresponding pay increase. For an employee's perspective, they can continue working for them or not.
The fact is that an employee can be fired with or without notice for any reason or no reason at all. That is unless their treatment is the result of actionable discrimination or it violates existing company policy or a term of an employment contract or union agreement.
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