Can my employer keep my vacation timed earned if I am terminated from my job?

[crs112296]

Missouri - Is it legal in Missouri for my employer to keep the money from my hours of vacation time I have already accrued? I was recently terminated from my employer and I had accrued over 200 hours of vacation pay at the time I was terminated. My employer informed me they have a right to keep my vacation pay because I was terminated rather than quiting my job. This amount of hours represents approximately $5000 of vacation pay. Can the employer legally do this?

[Law200]

Normally they must pay you that.

You could consult your nearest Department of Labor office to briefly discuss the issue with them first...you may also want to ask the company to put what is happening in writing and explain to them that you may have attorneys review the situation...try speaking to a higher level of management about the issue; they may override the other managers.