[Wrongful Discharge] Monique Worked as an Administrative Assistant for B&B

question 5

Essay

[Wrongful Discharge] Monique worked as an administrative assistant for B&B Corporation. According to paragraph 16 of B&B's employee handbook's progressive discipline policy, an employee whose performance is unsatisfactory may be discharged if no improvement is shown within thirty days after receiving a written warning. Monique was having difficulty learning the software program required for her job. On July 1, she met with her supervisor, who told her that her performance needed improvement and gave her a written warning which referenced paragraph 16 of the employee handbook. Monique stayed up late each night trying to learn the new program. She was away from her job for one week for jury duty. On her return to work from jury duty on July 20, Monique was terminated for poor performance. Monique called B&B's Human Resources Department, but was told she has no case for wrongful discharge because she was an employee-at-will and can be terminated at any time for any reason.
-What is meant by the term employment-at-will? Discuss whether you ethically believe employment-at-will should be retained in the U.S. or whether employers should be required to exhibit fairness whenever a decision is made to fire an employee.

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Definitions:

Fifth Amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that provides protections including the right against self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

Self-Incrimination

The act of giving testimony that implicates oneself in criminal wrongdoing. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution states that no person “shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.”

Double Jeopardy

To place at risk, jeopardize, a person’s life or liberty twice. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution prohibits a second prosecution for the same criminal offense.

Fourth Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution that protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.