In Kentucky, Is It Possible To Fire Someone For Not Providing Child Care?

Kentucky is an “at-will” employment state, allowing workers to leave their jobs at any time and for any reason. However, there are some protections in place for workers, such as the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, which allows them to receive money back if they paid someone to care for their dependent while at work or looking for work.

In Kentucky, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Division of Regulated Child Care employees and child care providers can help workers understand when they can be fired for no reason. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit is available for both federal and Kentucky employers.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services can partner with individual employers to help workers afford child care. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as having too many late arrivals due to child care issues. Employers generally have the power to terminate employees whenever they see fit, except for a period at the beginning of the pandemic.

In Kentucky, employees are considered “at-will” if the child has been diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome at the time of birth or if the parent has been convicted of physical or sexual abuse or neglect. The employer/employee relationship is governed by the at-will-employment doctrine, meaning that the employer may discharge an employee without cause. If you have recently lost your job, it is important to reach out to a seasoned lawyer to discuss your rights and options.