Readers in Chaska are likely aware that there are employment laws in place at both the federal and state levels to protect workers. In addition to other safeguards and rights, these laws prevent employers from firing employees based on some type of prejudice. For the most part, as long as the activities are legal, a worker cannot be held accountable at work for what they do on their personal time. When an employee is fired because of an issue not related to their job, they may choose to take legal action, both to prevent their employer from violating the rights of future workers, but also to seek financial compensation.
A woman in Minnesota has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Charter Communications, the company where she had been employed as an ad account executive, as well as her former manager, for wrongful termination. The woman claims she was fired after having been featured on the cover of an issue of Playboy magazine, despite having cleared the photo shoot with her boss. She is purportedly seeking, at minimum, $150,000 in damages.
Charter Communications, according to reports, disputes the woman’s claims. According to a representative for Charter, the company acted in accordance with both state and federal employment law in its handling of the woman’s termination. She was reportedly fired for having violated Charter’s “standards of common decency”. The company argues the woman was never promised that her job would not be affected if she posed nude for the well-known magazine.
Employment-related disputes can arise from any number of issues, including wrongful termination, job discrimination and more. Just as the woman in this case chose to take legal action, anyone who has had his or her employment rights violated may benefit from consulting with an experienced attorney to discuss their options.
Source: Star Tribune, “Minn. mom’s suit says she was fired despite boss’ OK to pose for Playboy”, Paul Walsh, Oct. 1, 2013