So I got fired today

[big nasty kcnut]

They told me by a letter. Even thou I am out because of illness and waiting to find out when I'm going under the knife. They still fired me. **** my life. I wish I was dead.

[eDave]

Augh. That does suck man. But, no you don't. Stop that please. I bet most here have been in your spot. I have.

Aren't you protected by ADA?

[Msmith]

Sorry to hear that. I hope at least they will give a nice package while you are looking another job?

[gblowfish]

Our jobs don't define who we are as people. Don't let others define your value. Keep your head up, you'll come through it.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Our jobs don't define who we are as people. Don't let others define your value. Keep your head up, you'll come through it.

well said.. You took one on the chin, and went down... but you're not out. Get up.. shake it off.. and steel yourself.

[Buzz]

You fight just as hard as anyone on CP, keep on fighting my friend, something will turn up.

[big nasty kcnut]

I don't know about the ada but I should look into that but yeah I suck I work hard for the store and because I get sick they fire me.

[DrunkBassGuitar]

you might want to check to see if it was legal to fire you.

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/res...red-while-leav

if you're out on leave (it sounds like you are) you should speak to a lawyer

[kcpasco]

Originally Posted by big nasty kcnut

I don't know about the ada but I should look into that but yeah I suck I work hard for the store and because I get sick they fire me.

Ya that's a crappy deal. I would look into if you can be terminated while out on disability.

[Mr. Kotter]

Two things will come of this 'Nut:

1. Hopefully when your health is restored...you will find a BETTER job.

2. Or, you can sue the hell out of your former employer.



Hang in there, 'Nut; NOTHING in this life is worth giving up....nothing. Just put one foot in front of the other, dude. I know it's hard, but do it.

[Simply Red]

Sorry nut, That really is a hard thing to handle, but just remember it's their loss. Keep on trucking good mate. Start looking Tomorrow - Shave. Comb your hair real neat and put on a button up and go place to place until you get some leads. You will be fine bud. You've always been persistent.

[DrunkBassGuitar]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

Two things will come of this 'Nut:

1. Hopefully when your health is restored...you will find a BETTER job.

2. Or, you can sue the hell out of your former employer.



Hang in there, 'Nut; NOTHING in this life is worth giving up....nothing. Just put one foot in front of the other, dude. I know it's hard, but do it.

why not both?

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by DrunkBassGuitar

why not both?

Good point; yeah, 'Nut...that too.

[BigRedChief]

My line of work I'm always changing companies or jobs. It's just a job. It's not who I am or whats important to me other than providing a roof over my head etc.

Your health is most important thing in your life. Focus on that and find yourself a lawyer and let them focus on those assholes that fired you.

[Simply Red]

Missouri Wrongful Termination Laws

Have you recently lost your job? If so, you might be wondering whether you have grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit. In Missouri, as in other states, employees work at will. This means an employee can generally be fired at any time and for any reason, or for no reason at all.

But there are some exceptions to the at-will rule. For example, if your Missouri employer fires you for discriminatory reasons, in violation of an employment contract, or in retaliation for exercising your rights, you may have a legal claim against your employer.

Every state’s laws on wrongful termination are different. This article covers some of the common legal grounds you might have for suing your Missouri employer for wrongful termination. But it’s not a comprehensive list of Missouri employment rights, which can change as courts issue new rulings and legislators pass or modify laws. To find out the full extent of your claims, speak to an experienced Missouri employment lawyer. To learn more about Missouri employment law, contact the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Discriminatory Firing

Under federal law, it is illegal for an employer to fire an employee based on a protected characteristic. Federal law prohibits employers from firing employees based on race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), religion, age (if the employee is at least 40), disability, citizenship status, or genetic information. However, only employers with a minimum number of employees must comply with these laws. Most types of discrimination are prohibited once an employer has at least 15 employees. However, for age discrimination the minimum is 20 employees, and for citizenship status discrimination the minimum is four employees.

Missouri law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, religion, age (40 to 70), disability, HIV/AIDS, or genetic information. Missouri employers with six or more employees must comply with the state’s law prohibiting discrimination.

These laws also make it illegal for an employer to retaliate against you for asserting your rights. For example, if you complain to your company’s HR department that you believe you were passed over for promotion because of your age, your employer may not discipline or fire you for your complaint. Likewise, your employer cannot fire you for participating in an investigation of a discrimination complaint (no matter who made the complaint), testifying in court, or making other efforts to stop discriminatory practices.

Before filing a discrimination or retaliation lawsuit, you must file a complaint with the appropriate government agency. In Missouri, the Missouri Commission on Human Rights enforces the state’s laws prohibiting discrimination; the Commission has offices in Jefferson City. In many cases, state fair employment practices agencies will record your complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency that enforces federal antidiscrimination laws. However, you should check to make sure. If not, you may also have to file a complaint with the EEOC; you can find contact information for the nearest office at the EEOC’s Field Offices page.

Breach of Contract

In Missouri, the at-will status can be altered only by a written employment agreement. While many other states will find an implied contract based on oral statements by your employer or written statements in an employee handbook, Missouri will not. If you have a written employment contract, and your employer fires you without good cause, you have a legal claim for breach of contract.

Wage and Hour Issues

In Missouri, employees are entitled to a minimum wage of $7.65 an hour. Under federal and Missouri law, employees who work more than 40 hours a week are eligible for overtime. Although some states require employers to provide meal or rest breaks, Missouri is not one of them. However, under federal law, employers who choose to provide breaks of 20 minutes or less must pay employees for that time. Employers also must pay their employees for any time during which they must work, even if the employer characterizes that time as a “break.”

It is illegal for Missouri employers to fire employees for filing wage complaints, testifying in wage proceedings, or instituting legal proceedings for wage violations.

Time Off Work

State and federal laws give employees the right to take time off work for certain civic obligations and personal responsibilities. Employers may not discipline or fire workers for exercising these rights. In Missouri, these rights include:

Military leave. Under federal law, employees have the right to take up to five years of leave to serve in the military, with the right to be reinstated when they return to work. (This law also prohibits discrimination against employees based on their military service, protects employees from discharge without good cause for up to one year after they return from military duty, and provides other protections; see Nolo’s article Taking Military Leave for more information.) Missouri law also prohibits employers from discharging employees based on their membership in the state organized militia, interfering with an employee’s militia service, or using threats to dissuade an employee from enlisting in the organized militia.
Jury duty. Employers must allow employees to take unpaid leave for jury duty, and they may not take or threaten any adverse action against an employee based on jury service. Employers may not require employees to use vacation, personal, sick, or annual leave while on jury duty. Employers who fire or penalize employees for jury service may be subject to special damages in a wrongful termination case.
Voting. Employers must give employees time off to vote, unless the employee already has three consecutive hours of non-work time when the polls are open. This time is paid as long as the employee votes.
Family and medical leave. Missouri employees are protected by the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide eligible employees with up to 12 weeks off, unpaid, every year for a serious health condition, to care for a family member with a serious health condition, to care for a new child, or to handle certain practical matters arising out of a family member’s military service. Employees can take up to 26 weeks off in a single year to care for a family member who is seriously injured while serving in the military. Employees who take FMLA leave must be reinstated to the same position once their leave is over. To learn more, see the articles at Nolo’s FMLA page.
Other State Claims

Workers' compensation. Employers may not discriminate against employees who exercise their rights under state workers' compensation laws.
Workplace safety. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who report violations of state workplace safety laws.
Whistleblowing. Employers may not fire or retaliate against employees who report, or refuse to participate in, activity that is illegal or contrary to public policy.


Off-duty conduct. Employers cannot discriminate against employees who engage in tobacco use while off-duty and away from the workplace.
What to Do Next

If you think you were fired illegally, talk to a Missouri employment lawyer. A lawyer can help you sort through the facts and assess the strength of your claims. A lawyer can also inform you of other state or local claims that you may have in addition to those listed above. Whether you want to try to get your job back, negotiate a severance package, or sue your employer in court, a lawyer can walk you through your options and help you decide on how best to proceed.


http://www.wrongfulterminationlaws.c...s/missouri.htm