I was fired because I refuse to use my car to do an assignment, were my employment rights violated?

jobbend

You need to check the laws in your area - they vary from state to state. Contact the agency that oversees employment law. You can also do research at www.usa.gov.

If you were working in a "work at will" position", you can be fired, or quit, for any reason or no reason at all. if the scope of job changed (need your own car to use for transportation) and you are no longer willing to do the work (with or without compensation), your ability to do your work as prescribed would be compromised - and an employer can make a decision to end your job, just as you could choose to say, "thanks, but no thanks, I'm not interested in driving for the company" and simply quit.

john c

Unfortunately, you were not fired for refusing to use your car. You were fired for refusing to fulfill a responsibility relevant to your position. Manage is a verb and how those needs are met is up to you. Also, especially if this was a situation your boss feels you should have anticipated and addressed, he may have felt it was too important to entrust to a subordinate or delivery service.

As usual, responders here will suggest several things you should try; however, your chances of mitigating a charge of insubordination are not good. Sorry.

S P

that's a tough one, i'd call the department of labor and ask them. On the one hand, you were insubordinate on the other, do you have to use personal property in the course of your job. I'd say if they were going to reimburse you for the travel at the standard rate and have workers comp insurance to cover you were you injured during the course of the assignment, you probably can't do much.

curtisports2

In employment that is covered by a negotiated contract between a union and the employer, or that has a detailed written policy, in both cases, something that clearly spells out the rights and responsibilities of employees and the employer, issues like use of personal property in fulfilling employment duties are addressed. In the absence of anything clear in a non-union environment, you are at the complete mercy of the employer. You can be terminated for any reason, justly or not, so long as the employer doesn't violate any of the various anti-discrimination laws.

Did you have a contract stating that you did not have to use your car to do such things? Does the company generally provide company cars for employees?

Most of the time, the answer to these questions is no. You probally have no case against them. I am guessing this was an isolated incident (otherwise you would have just looked for a new job). If it was a question of gas money, you simply should have said something. Otherwise, the milage would have been tax deductable in some cases.

I'm sorry, but I think you are stuck looking for a new job. You can try to get unemployment, but it may be difficult because you were fired for insubordination. You'll have better luck if this was an isolated incident of insubordination, but not much if this was the last straw.

K F

get a lawyer

diesel

you absolutely can fight that , if something were to happen when you were driving for them you would be personally liable . they have no right to force you to do so .

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