Can you be fired in a at-will state for leaving to pick up your children per a court ordered parenting plan?
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Can you be fired in a at-will state for leaving to pick up your children per a court ordered parenting plan?
Let’s say someone lives in an at-will state, meaning that they can fire you or you can quit at will. This person has been to family court and has a court ordered parenting plan that the court is expecting the parents to follow. This person has talked to their employer and the employer understood, however a change in management places a new person in charge. The new manager will not let the parent leave to pick up their kids according to the parenting plan. Can the parent be fired for leaving to get their kids, and if not then which law is protecting that parent?
Asked on December 15, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Missouri
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
The fact is that an employer is not legally bound by their employee's court ordered parenting plan (or any other court order for that matter). As you noted, most work relationships are "at will", which means that an company can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit. This includes who to terminiate and why. In fact, an employee can be fired for any reason or no reason at all.
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