Was I Wrongfully Terminated?

[poisonedcrimson]

My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: Illinios

State of Illinois (at will employment state). Terminated without warning because HR alleges that I have confidential information that belongs to a different company in one of my business documents. That information was provided by my manager to be written into the business documents. I was not aware that my manager procured it from an outside company. He was not fired.

What should I do at this point? Tell HR that it came from my manager? Would I have any type of legal claim against my company?

[panther10758]

It was not unlawful and there is no law that would protect either party if only one was fired. However if you wish to save your job or protect your integerity then yes tell HR where the documents came from

[poisonedcrimson]

But i was already terminated. What good can it do me if I tell HR that the document came from my manager?

[panther10758]

Then move on and seek new employment. Is it possible and if you wish you can still go to HR and hope they will bring you back once you provide new info

[Betty3]

It was not a wrongful termination if they terminated you for having confidential information no matter where you got it - unfair maybe but not illegal. They do not have to terminate your mgr. just because they terminated you even if they know/find out the info came from him. It would only be a wrongful/illegal termination if they terminated you JUST because of a reason protected by law (ie age, religion, race).

It's up to you if you want to talk to HR but they still don't have to bring you back or fire the mgr. They don't have to treat all employees the same as long as they don't discriminate JUST because of a protected class as noted above (ie age, religion, race).

[poisonedcrimson]

Thanks, Panther and Betty!

Just out of curiosity, if I inform HR about the true source of this confidential information and say that I disclose it back to the company where the information was originally procured from by my manager, would I be sued by my ex employer?

[cbg]

There is no possible way for anyone to tell you what your ex-employer WILL do. The Expertlaw crystal ball is out for repairs. Sorry.

[poisonedcrimson]

Thanks, cbg!

Panther, Betty, would you guys weigh in on this as well? In the interest of my own integrity, I do want to reveal the truth behind this to HR, but do not want to attract negative impact on me and my career.

[Betty3]

I have to go along with cbg. There is no way we can know what any individual ex-employer might do.

[panther10758]

I second Betty's motion all in favor say "I"