Can you get fired for calling out during a hurricane/tropical storm?

Question

I'm in the path of tropical storm Fay and the weather is already getting bad and only suppose to get worse. My employer refuses to close and is expecting us to be at work tomorrow. I don't know that I feel safe driving in these conditions. Can an employer require you to come to work in a hurricane and fire you for calling out? It's not like I work at a hospital or something. I'm a student and just work part time in customer service.

Answer 1

safety first!  

Answer 2

I am in the same situation. I live in a different county than I work in and by the time I would have got off work the winds were suppose to be 60 MPH and I would have had to drive home through it 45 miles from work to home. Even though we are a "at will" work state I believe that it would fall under wrongful termination because we do not have an employee manual and never have. They are trying to change my schedule and take me off entirely if possible because I would not drive through it. I hope a lawyer will answer these questions because, my employer has deep pockets.

Answer 3

I am honestly not sure if they can fire you because of that but if they choose to they can always twist it around to make it look like it's your fault however if the weather is bad then the risk is not worth it after all it's just part time and I'm sure you could find something else if they do fire you then you could try contacting a lawyer for a wrongful termination or call your employers home office.

Answer 4

In Florida, you can get fired for any reason or no reason at all.  By tomorrow morning your weather may have improved enough for you to be able to drive safely.

Fay is expected to make a rather sharp turn to the west sometime during the night.  

Answer 5

i live in s florida. the weather got nasty from fay and they were telling people to stay off the roads yet places stayed open and people had to work. i'm lucky i had off anyway. i think you have the right to refuse to come in but employers are good at twisting things around so be careful and good luck.