Legal Question in Employment Law in Washington
What do I do if I am being wrongly accused of theft by my previous employer. A job which I quite from, not fired from?
1 Answer from Attorneys
First, I would recommend that if you have not already done so, apply for unemployment. I am not being glib here. If they are claimed that you were terminated for the theft, they are likely doing it to stop you from receiving unemployment and will make the claim in the paperwork. (I am guessing there is a good chance that's where you first became aware of the claim.) This will give you an opportunity to address the issue and insist they provide evidence in a relatively inexpensive forum. Watch your deadlines very closely in this process, and consider getting legal help if you can possibly afford it.
If they continue to accuse you of theft in references and so forth, get an attorney to write a letter for you pointing out that this is defamation.
If they have made these accusations to the police, I would urge you to get a criminal defense attorney. Even if you did not do it, the criminal justice system can treat you poorly and you can come away from your encounter with it with long lasting problems.
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Can employers ask why you were fired from a previous job? Asked 7/27/10, 12:31 pm in United States Washington Labor and Employment Law