Is requesting a reduction in hours considered to be a resignation?
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Is requesting a reduction in hours considered to be a resignation?
Last week I submitted a letter to my employer stating that I would need to reduce my hours due to increasing job-related physical impairments. My request was denied, and my manager sent out an e-mail to the staff stating that I had resigned from my position, which I did not do. Is this a legal or ethical issue or both? I can foresee this being an issue with unemployment (quitting vs. being terminated) as well as with future employers.
Asked on March 13, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Washington
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
1) Whether it consitutes a resignation "depends"--that is, it depends on the specific wording of your letter (e.g. if you wrote, "I will be unable to work without a reduction in hours," that could easily be legitimately taken as a contingent resignation; i.e. that will resign if you don't get the reduction).
2) Whether the employer would need to accomodate a request for reduced hours due to job-related physical impairments also depends--first, do those impairments rise to the level of a "disability" under the law, and second, *can* the employer reasonably accomodate you, which means, is there some job you reasonably could do there for reduced hours (they don't need to invent a job they don't have a legitimate need for to make it possible for you to work reduced hours).
3) Note that if you don't have an employment contract, you are an employee at will, who may be fired for pretty much any reason other than illegal discrimination (such as discriminating against the disabled; see (2) above)).
Given that the specific facts--the wording of your letter, your physical condition, whether you could be accomodated--will determine whether your were improperly terminated or not, you need to discuss this matter in detail and confidence with an employment attorney.
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