Wrongful Termination
Most employees in this country work at will, which means they can quit at any time and can be fired at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause. (For more information, see Nolo's article Employment At Will.) However, even an at-will employee can't be fired for a reason that's illegal. For example, employees cannot be fired for reasons that are discriminatory, intended to punish the employee for whistleblowing, or in violation of employee protection laws, such as the National Labor Relations Act or OSHA.
Below, you'll find information on common grounds for wrongful termination claims. You'll also find information on finding a lawyer, something you will likely need to do if you are considering taking legal action against your employer. A lawyer can evaluate your claims, let you know your chances of success, help you negotiate with your employer, and much more, even before you file any papers in court. Most legal claims, including employment claims, settle well before anyone sees the inside of a courtroom. A good attorney can help you make sure you get the best possible settlement under the circumstances.
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Wrongful Termination: Was Your Firing Illegal?
If you've been fired from your job, do you have grounds to challenge the termination?
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Damages in a Wrongful Termination Case for Breach of Contract
If your employer broke your employment contract, you may have the right to collect "damages" (the legal term for money). Damages are intended to compensate you for the financial losses caused by the contract breach. The types of damages available in a breach of contract case are more limited than the
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Damages in a Wrongful Termination Case
If you sue a former employer for wrongful termination, you are asking the jury to award you money, called damages. Monetary damages are usually the only remedy available in a wrongful termina
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Should You Sign a Release When You Lose Your Job?
Waiving your right to sue a former employer: what it means and when not to sign on the dotted line.
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Find a local employment lawyer in Nolo's online lawyer directory.
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Whistleblowing: When Are You Protected?
While states differ in the details, whistleblowing laws generally protect people who report to proper authorities activities that are unlawful or harm the public interest. One unique feature about whistleblowing is its foul-crying aspect. The whistleblower is protected for doing the civic duty of pointing
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Constructive Discharge: Were You Forced to Resign?
If you quit your job because of intolerable work conditions or treatment, in certain circumstances, your resignation may be considered a termination. A resignation under these circumstances is called a “constructive discharge” or “constructive termination.” If you were constructively discharged
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Hiring a Lawyer for an Employment Issue
Get some tips on finding and working with an employment lawyer.
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What Will It Cost to Hire a Lawyer for Your Wrongful Termination Case?
You may have a great wrongful termination case, but you will need to hire a lawyer to pursue it.
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Wrongful Termination Lawsuits: What to Expect From Your Lawyer
Things were going very well at your job until you reported a health hazard in the warehouse where you work. The company did not correct the health issue, so you reported it to OSHA.
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Will a Lawyer Take Your Wrongful Termination Case If You Were Fired for Cause?
You walk nervously into an unscheduled meeting with your boss and the human resources manager, who look grim.
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Fired for Cause: Do You Need a Lawyer?
Most employers provide a “legitimate” reason for terminating an employee, whether it's actually why you were fired or not.
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Fired Without Cause: Do You Need a Lawyer?
Most employees work “at will,” which means an employer can fire them for any reason. In fact, an employer doesn't even have to give a reason for firing an at-will employee.
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Wrongful Termination: Gathering Documentation
If you lose your job, protect your legal rights with documentation.
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Should I sign a severance agreement if I was wrongfully terminated?
Question: I was recently fired from my job, and I think it was because I'm pregnant. I've worked at the same company for many years, and my performance evaluations have always been positive. When I told my manager about my pregnancy, she made some negative comments about whether I would come back to
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Will a lawyer take my breach of employment contract case?
Question: I was recently fired from my job as Chief Financial Officer of a manufacturing company. I was a lateral hire into the position, and I insisted on an employment contract.
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Can I still sue if I signed a release but later learned that my firing was illegal?
Question: I was laid off from my job several months ago, along with about a dozen of my coworkers. At the time, the company told us it was downsizing and had to reduce payroll.
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Can I be fired while on maternity leave?
Can they fire me while I'm taking FMLA leave?
Talk to a Wrongful Termination attorney.
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