Legal Question in Employment Law in Florida

Unjust Termination

I received devistating medical information on a Thursday and did not call in sick on Friday because I could not compose myself long enough, however on Monday I did call in and explain and also had another doctor's appointment that day. I showed up for work on Tuesday and was told that they had hired a new manager. I had never received a verbal or written warning in the 9 months that I was employed by this company. I was not given any reason for the termination, just that they had hired a new manager. The new manager had started on Monday so it apparently had been in the works before I received my medical news. I am also a female working in a man's field and was replaced by a man. Do I have any recourse against this company for unfair termination? I do feel that this employer used me to clean up his paperwork and shop problems created by the past 4 managers and once I accomplished this, he let me go with no real reason. During my exit interview with the owner, I stated that I had done a good job for him and he replied that yes I had. I feel used by this company and would like to let them know that you cannot use people in this way and then just disgard them. Please let me know your thoughts on this matter.


Asked on 7/26/04, 6:49 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Randall Gilbert Gilbert & Caddy P.A.

Re: Unjust Termination

In response here are my thoughts: Of course you should feel used. That is what employers do to employees. They "use" employees to perform jobs, and in return employers pay their employees. If your job was to clean up from other past managers then you did your job. I have not heard any facts which would constitute a cause of action for discrimination and simply hiring a man to replace you is not enough. Florida is an at-will state which "generally," means that an employee can quit whenever they want, and an employer can fire whenever they want. There are some exceptions to this rule but I have read no facts which place you in those exceptions. Good luck and try to find another job in the meantime.

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Answered on 7/27/04, 7:03 am


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