Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone

Tag Archives: American Canyon Fire Protection District

Sick Leave Abuse or Family Medical Leave Act Violation

Today’s burning question: I was a probationary firefighter and used accrued sick and vacation leave to take care of my wife and children, but my employer fired me. Do I have a case? Answer: While as a probationary employee you are an employee at-will, an employer cannot discriminate nor violate statutory rights that are granted by state and federal law.

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.

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