Is it legal for an employer to suspend or terminate me for an assault that occurred with another employee while not at work?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is it legal for an employer to suspend or terminate me for an assault that occurred with another employee while not at work?
I got into a fist fight with a co-worker while I wasn’t working. Even though I have a police report and a witness who corroborates my story that I was defending myself, my employer is threatening to demote me, or possibly even terminate me? They said it created a hostile work environment. Can my actions outside of work be punished by suspension, demotion, or termination?
Asked on July 10, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Arizona
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
In fact your employer can do any of these things. That is unless you have a union/employment contract to the contrary, this action violates your employer's own policies, or this action is a result of some form of discrimination. You should be aware that most employment relationships are governed by the "at will" doctrine. What this means is that basically an employer can increase/decrease salary/hours, promote/demote, and generally impose requirements as it sees fit. This can be done for no reason or any reason, with or without notice.
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.