Legal Question in Employment Law in Florida
Wrongful Termination
My employer pays a number of employees cash each week, defrauding the government of income taxes,etc.Part of my job requirements for the last 6 months has been to remove the cash from deposits, make pay envelopes, and make a new deposit slip. When I refused to continue doing it , I was fired for a petty reason.Do I have legal recourse?
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Wrongful Termination
You may have a claim for whistleblowing. See an attorney as soon as possible.
Re: Wrongful Termination
You may have a potential whistleblower claim because Florida law makes it unlawful for an employer to fire an employee who has objected to and/or refused to participate in a practice that is in violation of a local, state, or federal law. Please feel free to contact us at (561) 447-8888 for further assistance.
Re: Wrongful Termination
This certainly sounds like a potential whistleblower claim under Florida Statute section 448.102, as long as the employer has more than 15 employees. (If not, they are not covered by the law.) If you prevail on such a claim, you can be awarded reinstatement, lost pay and benefits, costs and attorneys fees. There may also be other possible causes of action, depending on the facts.
The problem is that you will probably have to sue to pursue your rights. That can be time-consuming and expensive, even if you find an attorney to take the matter on a contingency basis.
If you want to discuss the matter, please call for a free consultation.
Good luck.
Jeff Sheldon
Jeffrey L. Sheldon, Esquire
The Sheldon Law Firm
17804 St. Lucia Isle Drive
Tampa, FL 33647
813.986.7580
(f) 813.986.7489
(Admitted in Fl., MD, D.C., and Pa.)
http://www.SheldonLawFirm.com
Disclaimer: This posting does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. It is not confidential, nor is it privileged, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult with an attorney for advice specific to the facts of your case.