aharris2615
Junior Member
Kansas
Factual background: I worked for a company that is owned equally by three people we'll call A, B, and C. There is now a legal dispute between them. A and B are married and C alledges that the other two are embezzling money from the company and is now suing them over the matter. I was hired by C and worked directly for him for my entire employment. But, 5 months ago C no longer came to the office and had me meet with him to discuss day-to-day activities and provide feedback for ongoing projects. He absolutely despises the other two and cannot be in the same building with them let alone in the same room, so I thought nothing of it and figured the courts would settle the power struggle in due time.
The Problem: A and B ordered me to reveal whenever I spoke to C and what we spoke about regardless if it was done outside of work hours. I willfully disobeyed this order because I beleive that it violates C's right of privacy. Also, I was confused on if A and B actually outranked C in the firstplace to give such orders.
As a result, I was fired for "insubordination." Doesn't insubordination require a LEGITIMATE directive to be willfully disobeyed? Furthermore, what they asked me to do was unlawful wasn't it? Regardless of at-will status, firing someone for refusing an illegal directive is retaliation, right?
Thanks in advance!
Factual background: I worked for a company that is owned equally by three people we'll call A, B, and C. There is now a legal dispute between them. A and B are married and C alledges that the other two are embezzling money from the company and is now suing them over the matter. I was hired by C and worked directly for him for my entire employment. But, 5 months ago C no longer came to the office and had me meet with him to discuss day-to-day activities and provide feedback for ongoing projects. He absolutely despises the other two and cannot be in the same building with them let alone in the same room, so I thought nothing of it and figured the courts would settle the power struggle in due time.
The Problem: A and B ordered me to reveal whenever I spoke to C and what we spoke about regardless if it was done outside of work hours. I willfully disobeyed this order because I beleive that it violates C's right of privacy. Also, I was confused on if A and B actually outranked C in the firstplace to give such orders.
As a result, I was fired for "insubordination." Doesn't insubordination require a LEGITIMATE directive to be willfully disobeyed? Furthermore, what they asked me to do was unlawful wasn't it? Regardless of at-will status, firing someone for refusing an illegal directive is retaliation, right?
Thanks in advance!