Legal Question in Employment Law in Virginia
Fired While out sick
I was recently fire while being out sick.Was in hospital Emergency Room with chest pains.Was diagnosed with Heart Disease 11 months ago and have been through rehab this past year.Been under doctors care and have been taking test and am going in for my 3rd heart Cath this tuesday.Was plant manager when I had my first spell this time last year. I steped down voluntarily to be a CNC Machine operator because it is less stressful.That was 10 months ago.This time I was fired for missing to much time from work and they also canceled my insurance. This seems wrong!Been with company for 4 years and never anything but good reviews.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Fired While out sick
Been with the company for 4 years, you say, and
never anything but good reviews? Guess what, it means nothing when you're employed in a state such as the Commonwealth which embraces the employment at will doctrine. In this kind of jurisdiction, unless you are working under a contract of employment or collective bargaining type of agreement which protects you from summary dismissal, the reality is that you can be fired by your employer at any time and for almost any reason which doesn't violate one of the protected categories of federal anti-discrimination law.