Are there any legal restrictions against firing, suspending or disciplining employees?
Tennessee is known as an “EMPLOYMENT-AT-WILL” state. Generally, this means that an employer may legally hire, fire, suspend or discipline any employee at any time and for any reason – good or bad – or for no reason at all. However, an employer may not discriminate against any employee on the basis of the employee’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, or disability. Also, under the Tennessee “WHISTLE BLOWER’S LAW”, the employer may not take any reprisal against an employee who advises the employer that the business is in violation of a law and the employee either discloses, threatens to disclose, or testifies about the violation of law, or the employee objects to or refuses to participate in an employment act in violation of law. This law may be found at Tennessee Revised Statutes Title 50-1-304. There are other exceptions to Tennessee’s “EMPLOYMENT-AT-WILL” doctrine.
Related Questions
- Does the Office of Legal Affairs provide legal advice to students, and employees with regard to personal matters unrelated to the University?
- Are there any legal restrictions against firing, suspending or disciplining employees?
- What is the legal difference between employees and independent contractors?
