What to do if my place of employment is disciplining me for calling the police?
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What to do if my place of employment is disciplining me for calling the police?
I am a teacher and I called 911 during a fight at school. I am being disciplined for calling the police. Apparently, I did not ask permission to call 911 before doing so. I thought calling the police was a civil right?
Asked on October 17, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Calling the police is a "civil right" only inasmuch as any person in the U.S. has the right to call them when there is a crime, emergency, etc. However, your right to call the police does not affect your employer's right to set rules, procedures, etc. for the workplace, including requiring that an issue be reported first to the administration (or whatever the rule is) before the police are called. So you *can* call the police, but if your employer deemed you acted inappropriately, it may still take job action against you, subject only to any contracts--including any union or collective bargaining agreements--which govern your employment. If there is a contract, you may not be disciplined in a way or for a cause which violates its terms.
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