Sacramento, CA asked in Employment Law for California

Q: I asked to borrow a lighter while working as a custodian at a school. I was fired. Can they do that.

Related Topics:
2 Lawyer Answers

A: You didn't say if this was a private or a public school, and it makes a difference. Assuming it was a public school, you are a Classified employee and most likely all classified employees in the district have a CBA or MOU that governs their employment. You need to get the union to file a grievance on your behalf. This falls within the scope of Public employees rights. You should contact an attorney that handles this kind of case. Thank you for using Justia, ask a lawyer.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: Under California law, employers generally have the right to terminate an employee's employment for any reason, as long as it is not discriminatory or in violation of specific employment contracts or laws. In the situation you described, if your employer decided to terminate your employment for the simple act of asking to borrow a lighter, it may seem disproportionate or unfair. However, without further context or information, it is difficult to provide a definitive answer. It is recommended that you consult with a legal professional who can evaluate the specific details of your case and provide accurate advice based on the circumstances. They will be able to assess whether any employment laws were violated and guide you on the best course of action.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.