Can I be fired for refusing to travel?
I have a young child at home in which I am the caresgiver. I work overtnight shift and my employee as asked me to travel to cover staff shortage in Maryland 2 hour away. Can I be fired for refusing to go based on hardship to my family?
1 answer | asked Apr 16, 2007 7:31 PM [EST] | applies to Pennsylvania
Answers (1)
You can likely be terminated for refusing to travel.
Before I respond to your inquiry, I must state that we have not spoken, I have not reviewed the relevant documents and facts, and I do not represent you. Therefore, my discussion below is not a legal opinion, but is informational only. Finally, my discussion applies only to issues to which Pennsylvania or Federal law apply, unless otherwise specified.
That being said, you can likely be terminated for refusing to travel. In Pennsylvania, you are an employee at will, and can be terminated at any time for any reason or no reason at all. The employer has no obligation to be fair or even use good business judgment.
If, however, the employer does not terminate employees of a different gender for such refusals, or if the employer targets one gender with these travel demands but not the other gender, you may have a claim for discrimination.
If you would like to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact me at the below address(es) or number.
/Christopher E. Ezold/
Nancy O'Mara Ezold, P.C.
One Belmont Avenue,
Suite 501
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 660-5585
Cezold@Ezoldlaw.com
posted by Christopher Ezold | Apr 17, 2007 07:41 AM [EST]
Before I respond to your inquiry, I must state that we have not spoken, I have not reviewed the relevant documents and facts, and I do not represent you. Therefore, my discussion below is not a legal opinion, but is informational only. Finally, my discussion applies only to issues to which Pennsylvania or Federal law apply, unless otherwise specified.
That being said, you can likely be terminated for refusing to travel. In Pennsylvania, you are an employee at will, and can be terminated at any time for any reason or no reason at all. The employer has no obligation to be fair or even use good business judgment.
If, however, the employer does not terminate employees of a different gender for such refusals, or if the employer targets one gender with these travel demands but not the other gender, you may have a claim for discrimination.
If you would like to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact me at the below address(es) or number.
/Christopher E. Ezold/
Nancy O'Mara Ezold, P.C.
One Belmont Avenue,
Suite 501
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 660-5585
Cezold@Ezoldlaw.com
posted by Christopher Ezold | Apr 17, 2007 07:41 AM [EST]
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