Is it legal for my boss to tell my co-worker he's suspended for a week, not schedule him for a other week, ignore his text, then fire him 3 wks later?

Question

My co-worker did deserve his 1 week suspension as he got frustrated and broke a pizza screen. But he was relieved he wasn't fired and could return to work the next week.

However when the new schedule came out, he wasn't on it. Throughout that week he tried calling and texting our boss asking what's going on. He got no responses. She never told him to come in or anything.

After not getting any responses my co-worker physically went in. But had to go in the next day because our boss wasn't there. The next day he went in and our boss said he's fired. She could have fired him 3 weeks ago instead of suspending him so he knew to look for other employment.

He admits he deserved the suspension. But he didn't deserve having our boss make him believe he still had a job at the end of his suspension.

I'm not surprised by this, because our boss is known to use her position to punish all of us. Even if she thinks you did something wrong and you defend yourself. She'll cut people's hours that make innocent mistakes.

People quit there all the time because of how she controls us knowing we need a paycheck. She also calls us stupid, idiots, and retards behind our backs. We know this because we all have traded stories of her talking about each other.

I just think it's wrong making him believe he still had a job just to fire him. With all the open jobs available, he could have been starting a new job and not have to worry about having money to pay his bills. I really feel with her track record, she did it to punish him more than he was suppose to be.

Oh and she has her daughter and son-in-law working there, and times out orders with the bigger tips so they can take those deliveries and the big tips.

I use to think my other co-workers were being paranoid. But I see everything is true.

Is it legal for my boss to tell my co-worker hes suspended for a week, not schedule him for a other week, ignore his text, then fire him 3 wks later?

Mangospacho · Accepted Answer

If he broke a pizza screen, that was the cause for getting fired. Those screens are a few hundred bucks, right? If it’s something less expensive than a $200 flat screen then it’s a ridiculous reason to fire him. But, depending on what state you’re in and how large the company is that you work for, your manager probably can’t just fire people without consulting their legal department or Human Resources.

The problem is this manager sounds like she just dragged it out as long as humanly possible (while calling her staff who doesn’t work fast enough “idiots”). And she probably didn’t consult her higher-ups until well after the suspension. Either way, you’re right, he could’ve just looked for another job during his suspension instead of firing him THREE WEEKS later.

I bet it’s a papa johns. Is it a papa johns? At least tell me if it’s a papa johns.

AviatorTom · Accepted Answer

Most states in the US are "employ at will" states, which means the employer can terminate you whenever they want and, similarly, the employee can leave whenever they want, unless there is a union involved in which case the union contract defines this.. What the boss did is most likely perfectly legal, but not very nice.

TenderFantasy · Accepted Answer

Damn. I hope karma gets her. If I was the boss, I wouldn't do what she did. I already know all too well how it feels to be on the other side. Sucks for your co-worker, and feel sorry that it happend but what can  YOU  do? Not much. If you were the boss, I know you'd do things differently, but unfortunately you're not so you have to kinda just look out for yourself... unless you want to contribute to his plight, financially or whatever. Again, I don't think there's much you can do unfortunately. And if you did speak out, you may be next. Scary and unfair but what can you do? ! !

Aerissa_Jade · Accepted Answer

It is legal in a right to work state, no reason need be given on why someone is let go or fired. Documentation can help the business avoid having to pay unemployment though.

Definitely an abuse of power and that business likely has a reputation as being the last place anyone wants to work.

What was done is not a crime.

Finchie40 · Answer

You can actually get her in deep shit for bullying , call labor relations on her ass and have her reported for bullying at work , just because she is the owner doesn’t give her a right to belittle and criticize her employees , so doing that to her will give her a wake up call or her establishment will be forced to close down

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Having the legal right to take some action does not mean that it is the right thing to do. Yes, your boss can treat employees that way. The consequences are to lose good employees and to get a reputation as a bad employer. Tell your former co-worker to apply for unemployment compensation.

NewsReader · Answer

He needs to review the policy of the company / organization before taking any action. Why waste time and money if everything the boss did is legal?

Fireguy17 · Answer

if they followed company policy and documented everything, then it was fine. There may be things that you do not know about.

LiamJHayden · Answer

Yes, it is legal, but depending upon the state there could be a penalty for issuing the final check late. In California there is an 8 hour penalty for each day, up to 30, for not paying someone upon termination.

msc545 · Answer

You might have a worker's compensation lawsuit. Ask an attorney.

Is it legal for my boss to tell my co-worker he's suspended for a week, not schedule him for a other week, ignore his text, then fire him 3 wks later?

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