Most people know that an employer has the right to terminate an employee for just about any reason. What they might not realize is that there are limits to this. Employees can’t be terminated for illegal reasons.
One of the more common illegal reasons behind wrongful termination includes discrimination. In some cases, employees are terminated as a retaliatory act. This occurs if the employee filed a complaint about something illegal within the organization, if they cooperated with an investigation into an illegal activity or refused to participate in an illegal activity that was requested by the employer.
How do you prove wrongful termination?
There are several things that go into these cases. The circumstances surrounding the termination matter. For example, being terminated after you filed a sexual harassment complaint against your supervisor if you have an impeccable employment record will likely be considered a wrongful termination.
Some terminations aren’t related to discrimination or harassment, but they are a breach of contract. This applies to employees who have employment contracts. This document should outline what responsibilities you and the employer have. If your employer lets you go in a manner that contradicts the employment contract, you may have a case for wrongful termination.
If you think that you’ve been wrongfully terminated, you need to take swift action. Remember, you should keep your composure when you find out the news. This could have an impact on what happens with the matter in the future. Seeking the legal guidance is important. You need to exercise your rights quickly so that critical time limits aren’t missed.