Can I be fired for refusing to do something that I believe is unethical?

Yes, you can be fired for refusing to do something that you believe is unethical in Tennessee. This is the case even if the requested action violates the law or a company policy. Tennessee is an "at-will" state when it comes to employment, meaning that an employee can be fired for any reason, as long as it does not violate state or federal law. In Tennessee, an employer cannot terminate an employee if the refusal to do something that is unethical is based on a good faith belief that the action is illegal. An employer also cannot unlawfully terminate an employee for using a state-protected legal right or exercising a protected civil right. For example, an employer cannot fire an employee for refusing to participate in discrimination or sexual harassment. Additionally, employers in Tennessee cannot terminate an employee based on their religion, race, or national origin, nor can they terminate an employee in retaliation for filing a complaint with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. In order to protect yourself from wrongful termination, it is important to document any unethical requests from your boss and report them to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. You may also want to consider filing a wrongful termination lawsuit against your employer if you feel that you have been wrongfully terminated.

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