Legal Question in Employment Law in New York

What are my legal options, if any.

I understand the provisions of employee at will in NY. However I am being terminated for circumstances beyond my control. The cause my employer is using is that a task that was designated to me was not completed by x date. However, the project was passed on to another employee for completion, which was approved by my supervisor. However the person who was to complete the task was unable to do so when another supervisor decided to take the project away from him and do it her way. On X date when I returned the files were not complete, due to her new filing system. However, if my agreement with my supervisor was observed, the project would have been completed by deadline. When the other supervisor took over the project, I had no knowledge of it, nor control of it. The incompletion of the project fell on the other supervisor. However I am being terminated despite this blatant interference in my ability in completing this project. Is this allowed?


Asked on 7/15/02, 10:51 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Luz Pearce & Luz LLP

Re: What are my legal options, if any.

If you truly understood what it means to be an employee at will, you wouldn't even ask the question.

Unfortunately for you, an employer doesn't need a reason to terminate an employee at will. And if the employer happens to have a reason, it doesn't have to be a good one. He might just dislike you. With these criteria in mind, it is clear that your employer may terminate the relationship, just as you could terminate it for any reason of your choosing at any time of your choosing.

The only restrictions on this rule are those that protect people from being differentially treated on the grounds enumerated in various laws; for example, race, sex, or age. Nothing in your question indicates that any of these grounds played a part in your firing.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

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Answered on 7/16/02, 9:40 am


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