What is Considered Wrongful Termination?

No doubt your job is important to you in more ways than one. You may enjoy the work you do as well as rely on the income from your job to support yourself and your family. But what happens if you suddenly find yourself terminated from your job without a valid reason?

Even though California is an “at will” state, that doesn’t mean your employer can fire you without merit. If you’ve been terminated from your job for any of the following reasons, it may be considered wrongful termination.

Retaliation

Retaliation happens when an employee is punished for making complaints about workplace discrimination or harassment. Besides being terminated, some other forms of retaliation include:

• Disciplinary actions.
• Negative performance reviews.
• Being overlooked for raises.
• Being overlooked for promotions.
• Forcing the employee to take on more responsibility without a suitable pay raise.

Wage Disputes

Unfortunately, instances in which employers fail to pay their employees for the work performed is not uncommon. Federal law protects employees and there are labor laws in place that hold employers accountable for paying their workers in a timely manner. If you’ve been fired for reporting unpaid wages, contact an employment attorney immediately.

Reporting Sexual Harassment

Even with the #MeToo movement still in full force, sexual harassment in the workplace is far too common. In some cases, an employee who resists sexual advances from their supervisor and reports the behavior may be terminated as punishment. This is considered wrongful termination. If you’ve been a victim of sexual harassment and was fired for reporting the incident, you may be able to take legal action.