Florida is an “at-will” employment state, meaning that either you or your employer can terminate your employment at any time and without any advance warning. However, even with your employment being “at-will,” your employer cannot terminate your employment for an illegal reason.
Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 § 760.01, et seq., mimics federal laws in that it prohibits discrimination because of an individual's race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status. The Act further prohibits discrimination because of an individual's marital status.
Under the doctrine known as respondeat superior, an employer will be responsible for the actions of its employee taken within the scope of employment.
Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are held liable for any torts (wrongful acts) their employees commit as long as they happen within the scope of employment. This means that those responsible must answer to any injuries incurred due to these actions by their workers while on duty.
Vicarious Liability. Vicarious liability is a legal theory that holds one person responsible for the acts of another. It is often seen in workplace lawsuits because employees must follow company policy. Vicarious liability applies when one party gives instructions to another person or has delegated authority to them.
The answer is yes, depending on the facts of your case. Under the legal rule of vicarious liability, employers can be held financially responsible for the actions of their employees. Even parents could be held legally responsible for the actions of their children.
Business lawyers deal with a wide range of areas, including the formation, dissolution, and regulation of corporations; mergers and acquisitions; securities law; taxation; bankruptcy proceedings; contracts; intellectual property rights; employment law; antitrust laws; and corporate governance.
Each state sets laws related to fair employment and workplace safety. In most cases, state laws offer more protections than the federal ones. Contact your state department of labor to learn about the labor laws in your state.