By Derrek Cummings on November 19th, 2018
In today’s work environment, many employees read and answer emails as part of their everyday tasks. Unfortunately, hackers can use phishing scams and malware to access company systems.
While many companies today have security training to help employees identify and avoid risky emails, human error still poses a risk. Fake emails run the gamut from obvious spam to more sophisticated fraud. A phishing email can contain a link which causes employees to download malware. It can also ask workers to verify personal or company information, tricking employees into sending sensitive information.
Can You Be Fired for Clicking a Fake Email?
Most of the time, opening fake emails at work simply leads to embarrassment. However, some organizations — frustrated by security risks originating with their own employees — are taking further action.
Government employees with security clearances are being given phishing email tests to see how credulous they are when faced with dangerous electronic communication. Employees who do not identify and avoid such emails are given further training. CISO of the Department of Homeland Security, Paul Beckman, has also suggested taking away security clearances from government employees who repeatedly fail the tests, effectively demoting those workers.
Government employees are not the only ones at risk if they open fake emails at work. Workers at private companies have been fired after causing security breaches because they opened the wrong email and failed to notice the email was a scam.
What Can I Do?
In one study, one in three workers failed to correctly identify a phishing scam sent to them via email. Even if you are confident in your internet literacy, you may still be targeted. Getting training can help you notice and avoid risky emails at home and at work.
Many employees in Pennsylvania and across the United States are hired “at will” — and “at will” employment means they can be terminated for any legal reason. By law, you cannot be fired due to your race, gender, or other immutable and protected characteristic. Unless you have a fixed-term contract outlining when you can and cannot be fired, your employer may be able to fire you for a mistake.
In some cases, however, employees feel they were wrongfully terminated after making an honest mistake. If you feel you have been facing discrimination at work due to your national origin, disability, race, gender, or sexual orientation, or because you have made complaints to the employer or are pregnant or seeking maternity leave, you may wish to speak with an attorney about your situation.
You may have a wrongful termination claim if your employer terminated you mostly on prohibited grounds. Since it can be challenging to prove why you were fired, working with an attorney is important.
Contact Weisberg Cummings, P.C.
Weisberg Cummings, P.C. has helped many workers in Pennsylvania after a wrongful termination. If you feel you have been discriminated against, contact us online or give us a call. Our law firm is pleased to serve clients across Pennsylvania and we offer a free and confidential consultation so you can speak with an attorney before you make any decisions about how to proceed.