What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania
Someone I worked with at a convenience store recently quit her job due to the threat of being fired. She was apparently under scrutiny for possibly stealing approximately $5,000.00 worth of cigarettes PER MONTH for around four months. I realize, this sounds ridiculous, but they were convinced she was doing this. Eventually, word got around from the supervisor of the store that he said he KNEW for a fact that she was stealing the absurd amount of cigarettes every month, and that she was on the first of a small list of employees to be terminated as soon as they felt they no longer needed the help at the store. She was well aware of this lie going around, hence the reason she quit, as she knew they were going to fire her. The store's supervisor told anyone he could that she was stealing thousands of dollars a month in cigarettes without a doubt, even though he had no proof whatsoever. Because obviously, they would have fired her sooner if they had proof, or if they even realized that "at will" means they don't need a reason to terminate anyone. And since she quit, she can't get a job anywhere in the area because of all this; word had gotten around quickly, even before she quit. Is this possible grounds for either constructive discharge or even defamation/slander? (I realize either is difficult in most cases to prove.)
Someone I worked with at a convenience store recently quit her job due to the threat of being fired. She was apparently under scrutiny for possibly stealing approximately $5,000.00 worth of cigarettes PER MONTH for around four months. I realize, this sounds ridiculous, but they were convinced she was doing this. Eventually, word got around from the supervisor of the store that he said he KNEW for a fact that she was stealing the absurd amount of cigarettes every month, and that she was on the first of a small list of employees to be terminated as soon as they felt they no longer needed the help at the store. She was well aware of this lie going around, hence the reason she quit, as she knew they were going to fire her. The store's supervisor told anyone he could that she was stealing thousands of dollars a month in cigarettes without a doubt, even though he had no proof whatsoever. Because obviously, they would have fired her sooner if they had proof, or if they even realized that "at will" means they don't need a reason to terminate anyone. And since she quit, she can't get a job anywhere in the area because of all this; word had gotten around quickly, even before she quit. Is this possible grounds for either constructive discharge or even defamation/slander? (I realize either is difficult in most cases to prove.)
