Can I be fired for refusing to do something unethical or illegal?
In Tennessee, employers may not fire an employee for refusing to do something unethical or illegal. This is due to a legal principle that is known as wrongful termination. Under wrongful termination law, an employer has a duty to treat its employees fairly and not to fire them for any sort of illegal or unethical act. To prove wrongful termination in Tennessee, an employee must show that their firing was done in violation of a clearly established public policy, or that the employer did not have a legitimate economic or business reason for terminating the employee. In Tennessee, employers may not fire an employee for refusing to do something unethical or illegal such as taking part in price-fixing, engaging in fraud, or participating in illegal activities. Refusing to do something that is illegal or unethical is considered by the law to be a protected activity and is the basis of a wrongful termination case. Employees should also be aware that they may be protected from discrimination when they report any kind of unethical or illegal activity in the workplace. The Tennessee Human Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission are responsible for policing discrimination in the workplace. If an employer retaliates against an employee who has reported wrongdoing, they may be held liable for damages in a wrongful termination case. Therefore, it is important for an employee to be aware of their rights when it comes to being fired. It is illegal for an employer to terminate an employee for refusing to do something that is against the law or against accepted standards of ethics. If an employee feels like they have been wrongfully terminated, they may be able to bring a wrongful termination claim against their former employer.
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