The Supreme Court in Cleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill held that most public employees are entitled to a hearing before they are discharged. However, the "hearing" is not a full evidentiary hearing and need not include the opportunity to cross-examine your accusers.
All that is required is:
- Oral or written notice of the charges and time for hearing
- An explanation of the employee's evidence: and
- An opportunity to present "their side of the story."
Further, since the issuance of the Loudermill decision, the lower courts have strictly limited the remedy for Loudermill violations. Specifically, an employee deprived of their Loudermill rights is not entitled to reinstatement if the employer can prove that there was just cause for the discharge in any case.