What You Need To Know About California Wrongful Termination Laws
The answer to this question is: it depends on your employment agreement.
If you have an employment contract, it should indicate how long you'll work for your employer and how the termination process should go. If you were fired as a breach of contract, it is considered unlawful.
That said, your employment could be "at will," which means people can work at the discretion of the worker and the employer. As a result, an employee can quit or be fired at any time for any legal reason, sometimes without any reason at all.
Note the keyword: legal. For example, employees who work "at will" might be fired for any reason or no reason, but they cannot be terminated for illegal reasons indicated in California labor laws. You cannot be fired for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons in California.
That said, here's what you need to know about California wrongful termination, as experienced by a prescreened California lawyer for employees:
What Qualifies As Wrongful Termination In California Labor Law?
Your employer cannot fire you for the following reasons:
Discrimination at work
Harassment and Sexual harassment in the workplace
If your employment was terminated for any of the reasons above, you should contact a California lawyer for employees.
Examples Of Wrongful Termination In California
When do you know it's time to contact a California lawyer for employees? Here are a few examples to help you identify a potential claim:
You were fired because of your age, race, gender, disability, etc.
You were fired after requesting accommodations for your disability
You were fired because you asked for or went on an FMLA leave
You were fired after you filed a complaint to HR
You were fired after you reported your boss to OSHA
You were fired after refusing to commit a crime (i.e., you were asked to lie to the IRS)
You were fired after you announced your pregnancy
You were fired because you took time off work to vote, serve in the military, or serve on the jury
That said, no employer will admit to firing you for illegal reasons. After all, the legal fallout will cost them a lot in damages. Hence, filing a wrongful termination claim requires a lot of evidence and a strong claim to back you up.
Hence, contact a California lawyer for employees before making any decisions about your potential wrongful termination claim in California.
Why Should You Hire A California Lawyer For Employees
An experienced lawyer for employees in California will do their own investigation to gather and compile evidence for your claim. They will also assess your case, build a strong argument, negotiate for out-of-court settlements, and represent you in a potential lawsuit.
A successful wrongful termination claim can get you the following:
Economic damages, including lost wages and lost benefits
Non-economic damages, like emotional distress
If you go to court, you might be awarded punitive damages. However, punitive damages are reserved for particularly egregious employment law cases, so they're rarely awarded.
Whatever the case, a successful claim will compensate you for any past and future losses you incur because of the wrongful termination. Again, a successful claim requires case preservation, evidence, and a strong case. Contact a California lawyer for employees to get the best results.
Hire A Prescreened California Lawyer For Employees ASAP
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