After working at a job in Rhode island for 10 years, I was recently terminated without notice. I was employed in a supervisory position and I made a decision that I felt was correct based on my job. I coordinated a program that was state run but managed by a non-profit. I had my own budget and even though my paychecks were signed by the CEO of the non-profit, my monies reimbursed them each quarter. I also had an advisory committee that I reported to.
Well, I received an email from one of my staff that the CEO left a voice mail message for me that she wanted to discuss changes in my program. She mentioned that she would like to change it to a one-person, full time operation (I, as well as my distributor worked part-time). My distributor was very upset at the thought of losing her job, as was I. I emailed the CEO and mentioned that I didn't think she had the authority to make those decisions as I was not hired by her agency, but by members of the committee, and the state person I report to. The then CEO of the agency was included in the interview but it was the state person who offered me the position. Anyway, things started to get nasty as we exchanged emails back and forth and I simple told her that I made my decision as I was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the program, as written in my job description. She got angry and began getting very snotty in her responses. I stated that I did not wish there to be any animosity between us and if I offended her, it was not intentional. She refused my apology and continued her tirade until she finally stated that she would meet with me face to face to discuss it. The next day, she called me into her office and informed me that my services were no longer needed at the agency. I had never received a verbal or written warning. My job performance and quality of work was never an issue and I have proof of this from past achievement plans. She refused to tell me why I was being terminated except to say that she thought the emails said it all. She did state at one point that my absences from work were excessive and problematic. I have an eating disorder and took an authorized leave of absence to recover. I then had a baby and took an aithorized leave of absence for maternity leave. Finally, I had to have a hysterectomy and took another authorized leave of absence to recoup. She had never had a problem with any of this previously.
I beleive I was unfairly terminated and it was done as a retaliatory measure because she did not agree with the decision I made. I also beleive she got angry because I stood up to her when she got snotty with me.
Do I have any recourse?

No, you don't. What you describe does not meet the legal definition of a wrongful termination and even if you are 100% correct about the reason for your termination, that does not constitute illegal retaliation.

That seems so unfair. Obviously, a worker has no rights then unless it's blatant discrimination. You can be terminated at the whim of some unprofessional boss at any time, then. You should be able to sue to for your job back no matter what.

Why? Should your employer be allowed to sue you when you don't work?

Why? Should your employer be allowed to sue you when you don't work?


But my employer can fire me if I don't work. I can't fire him/her for being a bad administrator.

There should be some way for a loyal, hard-working employee to have a judgement whether the administrator is wrong or not. If it is because of the quality of work or some other ethical reason, I can understand it. But for being terminated because the administrator didn't like what you said? I disagree.

Well, if you want to lobby your elected representative to change the law, that's your privilege. But at the present time, we need to go by what the law is, not by what you think it ought to be, and the law as it currently reads says you can be fired for any reason that does not violate the law.

Obviously, that won't happen. You know what they say about our system of law.....