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Employee Misconduct Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

Last updated on December 23, 2025

There are employees who cause trouble in the workplace. They may steal, chronically arrive late to work, or harass co-workers. This negative behavior is called employee misconduct. It is defined as an intentional disregard for corporate rules and can jeopardize any trust the employer may have in the employee.

Any deliberate violation of a written policy can bring with it serious consequences, including employment termination and even legal action. That is why you need to take action if you have been wrongfully accused. Your career is at stake, so do not ignore your employer’s actions and suffer in silence. Seek legal help from an employment lawyer at our firm, Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC, who can defend your case.

Types of Misconduct

There are two main types of employee misconduct:

  • General misconduct: This is misconduct that does not intend to harm the company or others. It may involve arriving late to work or not following instructions on how to operate machinery. While these offenses do not justify immediate termination, they need to be remedied
  • Gross misconduct: Gross conduct is more severe and requires immediate termination. Examples include sexual harassment, theft, and property damage.

How to Defend Yourself

If someone in your workplace is accusing you of wrongdoing, and the allegations are not true, you need to act quickly. Here is how to set the record straight.

  • Gather documentation: Having records of communication can be helpful in some cases. For example, if you have written approval to take a day off, but your manager claims your time off was never approved, make sure you keep the documentation to prove your case. Emails, texts, and any paperwork may also be helpful.
  • Communicate: If your co-worker is going behind your back and telling your supervisor false claims about you, tell your supervisor the truth. Schedule a time to discuss the situation with your supervisor if you have to, but do not let your co-worker be the only one to have the dialogue.
  • Get help from human resources: If you cannot get your supervisor to see your point of view, go beyond and seek help from human resources. Give them as many details as possible about your situation and provide them with all the documentation you have.
  • Take the high road: No matter how frustrating the allegations may be, you need to keep your cool. Instead of getting angry at the person who is making the claims against you, ignore it and keep doing great work. By not engaging with the other person, you are showing how mature you are and how dedicated you are to producing great work for the company.

Contact an Employment Lawyer Near You

Allegations of misconduct in the workplace can be infuriating. Your reputation and career are at stake, so you need to fight to defend yourself. Do not just hope and pray that the truth will come out.

Seek legal help from the Ohio employment lawyers at Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC. We will help you set the record straight and clear your name. Fill out the online form or call 614-762-9727 to schedule a consultation.