If you have an illness and your supervisor says you can “take all the time that you need”, can you still be fired?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If you have an illness and your supervisor says you can “take all the time that you need”, can you still be fired?
My supervisor wrote in an e-mail that I could “take all the time that you need” to address a health issue. Then 2weeks later they decided to fire me. Is this legal?
Asked on May 31, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
As a general matter, an employer may terminate an employee who misses work for illness if the employee is not using (or doesn't have) PTO to cover the absence, or is not qualified for and taking FMLA leave, or leave under a similar state law.
However, that said, IF you only took the time off because the employer promised you that you could take it off, you may have a claim against the employer for terminating you for relying on their promise; you would be suing under the theory of promissory estoppel, or that you did something to your detriment (taking time off from work, which led to your termination) in reasonable reliance on their promise that you could in fact take the time.
The employer could still terminate you for other reasons: e.g. poor performance, a restructuring, or if you lied to them about something (such as about the extent or nature of your illness, or your need for time off--for example, if you misled them as to the severity, they could terminate you). However, if there was not some other ground or reason for termination and if you only took the time off after being promised that you could, you may have a legal claim. If you think that's the case, you should consult with an employment attorney to evaluate the situation and your rights in greater detail.
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.