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Can a Boss Fire a Volunteer Firefighter?
i was at work and the pager went off and my boss told me if i leave he would fire me. can he legally do this. is there a law that help the vol firefighters.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jean-Marc Normand on
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Here in the province of Quebec,there is point in law that says your employer can be fined if he does not let you respond to a call.I think the fine is around 600.00$ but it might be less too.
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Permalink Reply by Greenman on
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Sounds like a very good reason to get into a field where you can get "Flex time" and/or be a salaried employee (versus a wage-earner).
I'm in the Army, so most of the time I listen-in during duty hours, but if it's a call where they'll need the manpower and we're not in the middle of a training event, meeting or in the field, I'll let my Squad Leaders know "I'm hit, you got the platoon" and I go.
If ever there was incentive to go back to school and move-up at work, I think having the flexibility to leave work to respond to an emergency would be it.
Greenman
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Permalink Reply by Loyd Dittfurth on
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not in texas
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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I know I'm a bit late for the original discussion, but the one that holds closest is Oldman's post on page 2.
For the most part if you are an "At Will" employee, the boss does not need a reason to fire you, there is no contract to follow, no bargaining etc. So short version can a boss fire you if you choose to leave work to answer the call? Absolutely.
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Permalink Reply by Pararescue on
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For all intent and purposes, your employer can tell you that your not permitted to wear your pager to work. And leaving you job, and/or walking out of your job can constitute a voluntary resignation or job abandonment. Food for thought.... As for leaving a job your paid to do, to do a job your volunteering to do is a bad choice in its self.
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Having talked about this with a friend or two last night, I learned that a lot of Vols just turnt eir pager off and leave it in their car while at work and turn it on when they get in to go home at the end of their workday. That way they don't even know about the call while their at work.
Greenman
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Permalink Reply by Fire Chick on
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same in pa
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Permalink Reply by CHRIS PUYLARA on
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Read most of the posts on here,because it is an issue that I have faced too.Had an employer one time that let me run calls...even got paid while I was gone.then I worked for an outfit in the next county,even though I kept my pager on..and would hear the calls...travel time wise it didn't work....I never really pushed the issue.....UNLESS it was major.For the most part if you are out on a call BEFORE work....and are going to be late.....they cannot hold it against you. Right now, I have it kinda good because where I work at now, my wife is my boss...so I get to leave. (and if she isn't there...the other managers will let me leave). My advice is to sit down ,talk about it and come up with an agreement with your supervisor. AND get in writing..covers everybody concerned. TCSS.............CHRIS
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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Yes; if you leave work without permission to respond to an emergency, you can be terminated.
Some states have laws that protect volunteers if they are late or absent from work because of a call, but must provide proof that they were at the emergency and needed.
Employees have to realize that, once they walk through the door to their job, it is no longer THEIR time. Your time belongs to the company as they are paying you for it.
If your employee won't let you leave work to respond to calls, get use to it or find a job that will allow for it.
Also; the company has the right to tell you to keep your pager/radio out of the facility. So, don't be surprised when it happens.
I have been salary most of my adult life and had the flex to respond to emergencies. But, I was also fortunate enough to be a boss...
And I wasn't going to fire me!
Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Wade Seely on
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In colorado if it is a third alarm or an all call you can leave work with no reprimand, If it is a single page or a call for a bloody nose I would stay at work.
TCSS
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Permalink Reply by Tony Leonard,Jr. on
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Gary I too have been terminated for being late/leaving work for calls,Here in New York STATE,There are laws that protect Volunteers from being fired from their place of employment when they are late or miss work due to a call.Usually a signed letter on Company/Department letterhead signed by the Chief or Capt.works.Leaving work on the other hand,It must be Dispatched as a "General Alarm Fire"(More then 3 Alarms,In our case here would be the 1995 Flex-o-vit grinding wheel plant fire,where ALL 7 fire companies under our dispatch center as well as about 3/4 if not all of the 92 Volunteer fire companies in Erie County(NY) responded.)then the employer can not fire you.Walmart used to be really good about this,when i worked there,as long as you advised the store manager and punched out before you left,unsure how their policies are now.But most employers(nation wide chains)have it count as a no call/no show or unapproved absence under their attendance policies.An here in NY if it is stated in the policies,such action of the employer is legal.But there is an organization in NY called FASNY(Firemen's Assoc. of the State of New York)that Volunteers can join,that really goes to bat for us in most cases,as long as your a member.
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