Legal Question in Employment Law in Oregon
I was recently suspended from work and told it was pending an investigation. Over 3 weeks, I had to bombard HR and appropriate managers to try and get an answer, I got a phone call that ended with an offer to return to work, but at a different location. The time I was forced not to be at work I will not be paid for. I have no paperwork or have signed any paperwork in regards to this suspension. Due to this suspension I am now in a serious financial position, what are my rights for asking for a payment since it was them who decided to suspend while investigating?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Because most employment is at-will, meaning the employer can terminate employment for any reason or no reason (so long as it is not an unlawful reason), the employer can do anything short of terminate as well. If the employer wants to lay off one or more employees, it may do so with no liability. If it wants to suspend pending an investigation, it may do so. The at-will "contract" is simply that for each day, the employee agrees to work and the employer agrees to pay an agreed amount in wages. No future obligations exist. Each day is a new "contract." As such, a suspended employee has no right to compensation for the period of suspension.
The above is not legal advice, but is offered for general discussion purposes only. For specific legal advice, consult an experienced employment lawyer who can receive and analyze all the relevant facts and circumstances.
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