This is an uncommon approach to a common problem; firing people because they represent a liability to a company. Yet, what does that mean, really? People are not really liabilities, are they? Can a company honestly use that excuse to fire someone? Would you hire a liability attorney to fight such a case? Those questions and more are answered below.
The Company Viewed You as Someone Who Would Damage the Company's Reputation or Finances
When you are labeled a "liability," and then you are fired, it is because the company viewed you as "high risk," as someone who would seriously damage the company's reputation, or as someone who would inevitably cause financial damage. That is what it means to be labeled a "liability." Someone figured you would be costly in terms of a lawsuit, either to keep you as an employee or fight you as an employee based on whatever grounds for dismissal they noted in your file.
For example, many companies will not hire people without doing a credit check, and they refuse to hire people with bad credit. These people would be considered "liabilities" because they might steal money or embezzle from the company to make their lives better.
Yes, People Can Be Liabilities
The construction worker that frequently injures him/herself or others while on the job is a liability. He or she may be doing it on purpose, or he/she is just simply that accident prone. Whatever the case, that is a costly lawsuit waiting to happen. Ongoing problems that derail daily operations is yet another type of liability. Ergo, people can be liabilities under the right circumstances.
Can the Company Fire You, and Should You Hire a Liability Lawyer?
Yes, the company can fire you, but they first have to prove what kind of liability you are and how many times they have tried to correct you. They cannot fire you out of the blue unless you have caused serious damage, bodily harm or fatality, or have transgressed in a really big way against company policies. Should you hire a liability lawyer? You can, but keep in mind that the employer considered you the liability, and your lawyer will have to put just the right spin on the situation. The company could also hire a liability lawyer to sue you if they wanted, but you would need to hire an employment attorney to fight your case instead.
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