Tennessee Employment Legal Questions

We are an employment-at-will state in Tennessee where you can be fired for good reason, bad reason or no reason at all.  However, there are some complex state and federal laws that may make your termiation unlawful.  You should consult with an experienced employment attorney as soon as possible.... Read More

There is a difference between what a lay person would call a "hostile environment" and what the law prohibits.  It certainly sounds like your managers and the customer are hostile. However, an unlawful "hostile environment" is one that is created and directed to you because of one of the following: race, color, sex, national origin, religion, disability or age 40 or older.  If one of these seven protected classes are the reason for the hostile environment, then you can file a legal claim with the EEOC or the Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC).  If not, there is no employment law that woudl prohibit this. Even so, if you are injured at work, you will usually be entitled to workers compensation. I recommend speaking to a workers compensation attorney near you. Also, if you are physically assaulted, you can contact law enforcement.... Read More

Wage and Hour law can be complex. However, in general, if they are requiring you to go to court for work, then you should be paid.  I recommend you do not post in public like this with your name and your employer as these things can come back to you. Speak to an employment attorney who handles wage and hour claims soon.... Read More

FMLA is the only protection you have for termination due to absences caused by a health reason.  In rare, circumstances you might be able to argue for protection under the ADA if you have a disability or another discrimination statute if you believe others employees were allow more time off than you.  Again, those are rare claims and usually the employer is within its legal rights to fire you once FMLA runs out.... Read More

There is no law that specifically "protects" a single mother in this situation.  There are sex discrimination laws that would prohibit a single mother from being treated differently than a single father.  Potentially there could be broader protection to protect the single mother from being treated differently than any male, a married female or a single femal with no children.  If you had childcare obligations that made you unavailabel to work the expected shifts, there may be no legal claim. However, these are fact intenstive determinations and you will probably want to consult directly with an experienced employment attorney about that.  ... Read More

I recommend you speak to an experienced employment attorney as soon as possible. There may be a small consulation fee, but it will be well worth it.  Keep in mind that we cannot solict your business on Lawyers.com and you have to reach out to the attorney.  You can also use the Find A Lawyer feature a the top of this page.... Read More

You, or others could be seriously injured is you do not have access to water.  Contact federal OSHA or Tennessee OSHA (TOSHA) as quickly as possible.  You can also file on line with TOSHA.  Go to this site and scroll to the bottom:  https://www.tn.gov/workforce/section/tosha... Read More

Yes.  Tennessee is an employment-at-will state where an employee can be fired for good reason, bad reason or no reason at all. Most disciplinary documents indicate at the bottom that the signature acknowleges receipt of the document (not that you agree with the document).  If not, then I recommend you write that in below your signature if you disagree with what is stated in the document.... Read More

Tennessee is an employment-at-will state where you can be fired for good reason, bad reason or no reason at all.  If the only motivation to fire you is a false claim of sexual harassment, then if would be unfair, but not unlawful. You should set a consultation with an experienced employment attorney if you want to explore the types of reasons that are unlawful. You might have a defamation claim against the person who made the false claim.... Read More

Hard to tell from these facts only, but, yes, you potentially have a claim. However, it is very important that you do not quit until you have consulted with an experienced employment attorney.  Attorneys are not allowed to solict you, so you must reach out directly to the attorney of your choice to set a consulatation.... Read More

Tennessee is an employment-at-will state where you can be terminated for good reason, bad reason or no reason at all.  To file a claim for wrongful termination, you must show that you were terminated due to unlawful discrimination or unlawful retaliation.  I do not see either in these facts.  However, you should set a consultation with an experienced employment attorney to discuss if there are more facts you are aware of that would support either unlawful motive or if you want to discuss further.  Keep in mind that the attorneys on lawyers.com are not allowed to solicit your business so you should contact them to set a consultation.... Read More

Yes, in Tennessee you can be fired for good reason, bad reason or no reason at all.  You may have a legal claim for wrongful firing if there was an unlawful motive for the firing.  If you were fired only because you suffered from depression and anxiety, then you would have a claim for wrongful firing. However, if you were fired because you had a "blow up" at work, then you might not have a claim.  I think you really should set a consultation with an experienced employment attorney to discuss fully. Keep in mind that attorneys on Lawyers.com are not allowed to solicit your business so you will need to reach out to them.... Read More

Tennessee is an employment-at-will and you can be fired for good reason, bad reason or no reason at all.  You can only file a legal claim if you can show there is an unlawful reason for the termination. If your employer is truly defaming you (whch is a complex analysis), then you may be able to sue.... Read More