What are my rightd if I was terminated for stopping a robbery at work?
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What are my rightd if I was terminated for stopping a robbery at work?
I have worked as loss prevention at my retail location for the last 9 years. Last week, we had an incident in which a suspect attempted to take items from the store and force his way out using pepper spray. I stepped in front of the suspect who was using the spray on customers and other employees and was able to disarm him and remove him from the store. The police were called, evidence was collected, and an arrest was made. No medical attention was provided by the store for those exposed to the spray. After a week I was terminated by HR but with no prior infractions against me.
Asked on March 1, 2019 under Employment Labor Law, Colorado
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
While seemingly unfair, you have no claim here unless the circumstances of your termination violated the terms of an employment contract or union agreement. The fact is that most work relationships are "at will" which means that a company can set the conditions of employment much as it sees fit. Accordingly, absent some form of legally actionable discrimination playing a role in their dismissal. A worker can be discharged for any reason or no reason at all, with or without notice.
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
While seemingly unfair, you have no claim here unless the circumstances of your termination violated the terms of an employment contract or union agreement. The fact is that most work relationships are "at will" which means that a company can set the conditions of employment much as it sees fit. Accordingly, absent some form of legally actionable discrimination playing a role in their dismissal. A worker can be discharged for any reason or no reason at all, with or without notice.
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