Can I be fired simply for gossiping about my boss’s wife?
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Can I be fired simply for gossiping about my boss’s wife?
My sister and I got fired because someone told my boss that we were gossiping about his wife. Is that a reason to get fired?
Asked on July 10, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, California
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
I'm afraid that you have no grounds here for a wrongful termination claim. The reason is that most employment relationships are "at will". This means that basically you can choose to work for an employer or not, and an employer can hire or fire you for any reason or no reason, with or without notice. While seemingly unfair it's the law. There are exceptions however. If this action was not allowed by virtue of an employment contract, union agreement, or official company policy statement. Also, discrimination must not have played a role in your termination. Unless any of these exceptions apply your firing was legal.
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