Legal Question in Employment Law in Virginia
wrongful termination
I was fired from my company, first I was called into the office and told they didn't need me any longer because my machine was down all day one day and they considered it my fault, and that i was caught smoking during a non-break time and I was loafing around. I disputed all these claims to my supervisor and wanted him to get the co. head to come and he refused. Then I was told I was fired because I threatened my supervisor after he fired me. He lied! I never threatened him in any way. Others smoke on a regular basis and have been caught and nothing was done. Another man had the same thing happen to him on the machine I was running and nothing happened. Also, I was not loafing-i had placed an order for wood for my machine to run and was waiting for it to be delivered. And I had just ordered it about 3 minutes before my supervisor accused me of loafing. Do I have a wrongful termination claim? There are other employees who are willing to testify to the things I have said.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: wrongful termination
No, unless you had a contract of employment to protect you from the kind of summary dismissal which you've described, I would have to conclude that you do not have a viable claim for wrongful termination in the employment at will jurisdiction known as the Commonwealth of Virginia.