Legal Question in Employment Law in Virginia
Wrongful termination?
I was terminated from my place of employment for violation of policy.I was store security.8/26 I observed a male enter my store,load merchandise on a cart.I then observed female with child and tool in cart enter my store. Male leaves, female takes males cart to returns with cart she brought in.Female returns tool she brought in.Tries to return merchandise on cart that male loaded,was unable to (no receipt or driver license).Female starts pushing unpaid for merchandise out door.I make arrest.Accused of violation step 2 of 4 steps:customer takes orconceals product.Told made false arrest because female didn't load cart.I was not sure male and female were together until after arrest. District Loss Prevention Manager said I made a questionable stop,called his boss.I was suspended with pay.As of today I presented my defense(went through manual justifying my actions based on policy). Presented my defense to my DLPM who originally suspended me,convinced him I was ok in arresting female. I Was not able to talk to RLPM or Legal.I was asked to leave office,DLPM called RLPM. RLPM called Legal.Legal said it was a bad stop.I was fired. Moving to NC in Sept.Am buying house.I was a good emplyee.I have policy and see no violations.Can I sue?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Wrongful termination?
No, not under these facts, unless you were
working under a contract providing specific
protections against this kind of discharge(where the operative facts are subject to differing interpretations), along with a mechanism to appeal
any such wrongful discharge.