Can I be fired for not attending the company Christmas party?

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Can I be fired for not attending the company Christmas party?

Can I be fired for not attending the company Christmas party? It’s at a bar an hour away. It’s during business hours.

Asked on December 10, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, North Dakota

Answers:

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

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

Actually, you can be fired for this reason. In fact you can be fired for any reason or no reason at all. In an at will employment relationship, an employer can hire and fire or set any other term or condition of employment much as it sees fit. This includes mandatory attendance at a company Christmas party. The only legal protection you have here is if you are allowed to opt out of going by virtue of an existing company policy, an employment contract or a union agreement. Also if requiring you constitutes some form of actionable discrimination, forcing you to attend could be a violation of the law.


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