One of the first things you must consider when dealing with an employer and an arrest issue is that California is an at-will-employment state. This means employers have the right to terminate an employee’s employment status for any reason, including getting arrested. The state’s at-will employment status also means that the employer can terminate the employer/employee relationship without warning.
While this might seem like a one-sided situation, you should also know that by being an at-will employment state, employees are allowed to strike, quit, or refuse to work for any reason without advanced warning. It’s also important to note that even though the state is an at-will state, you can still file a wrongful termination lawsuit if you feel their reason for letting you go is an example of wrongful termination.
In most cases, terminating an employee for an arrest isn’t considered wrongful termination. The good news is that there are some things you can do to minimize how much the arrest damages your relationship with your employer.
Depending on your job type and the charges you were arrested for, you may be required to report the arrest to your employer. Examples include individuals who drive as part of their job and are arrested for a DUI. In addition, certain types of employment and assault charges would also require reporting.
Just because you don’t see how your arrest would impact your employer doesn’t mean you shouldn’t report it. Your employer should learn the news directly from you rather than from another source. It’s possible that your employer could have something in their code of conduct that requires you to report any legal trouble you find yourself in officially.
Another reason to let your employer know about your arrest is so that they will understand if you miss a shift. Depending on your employer, they may even be willing to help you out with bail so that they don’t have to worry about covering your work shift. One of the best ways to get quickly bailed out of jail and make sure you don’t miss any work is connecting with Newport Beach Bail Bonds. We have served the California community for decades and know how to swiftly approve a bail bond and how to post that bail bond so that you’re released as efficiently as possible. Our speed and experience are just one of the many reasons you should contact us if you’ve been arrested and want to be bailed out before your employer finds out.
