Wrongful Termination Attorney California Employment Lawyer

What Is Wrongful Termination?

Most workers in California are under a system called “at will employment.” This means that unless an employee has a written employment contract, the employer can terminate the employee without any explanation. The employee can be fired with or without cause, and for no reason at all. However under state law, there are specific exceptions to the employment at will rules and an employer can be sued for wrongfully terminating an employee. Wrongful termination can occur when termination is based upon the following circumstances:

• when an existing employment contract is violated;
• when the employer has committed fraud or misrepresentation;
• when the employer has “implied” that there is an employment contract, such as statements in an employee handbook that make job related promises;
• when the employer terminates the employee in retaliation for something the employee was within his or her rights to do (such as filing a workers’ compensation claim or reporting illegal or unsafe employer conduct); or
  when the employer violates public policy, such as discriminating against an employee because of his or her race or other protected category.

A wrongful termination claim may also be filed in circumstances where the employee was not actually fired, but was forced to quit due to unbearable working conditions. Called “constructive discharge,” California law allows an employee to sue for damages if he or she was forced to quit because employment conditions were so severe that a reasonable person would not continue to work in such a harsh environment. In order to recover, the conditions must have been continuous and intolerable. An isolated incidence of harassment or less than perfect work conditions would not justify an award for constructive discharge.

Wrongful Termination Examples

Wrongful termination can occur in a variety of circumstances. In the following examples, a California employee would be wrongfully terminated if he or she was fired because of:

• a statutorily protected category, such as race, gender, disability, age, pregnancy, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation
• reporting unsafe working conditions
• refusing to work in an unsafe area
• objecting to the employer about any illegal activity by the employer or co-workers
• reporting any suspected illegal activity of the employer to a government agency (such as a whistleblower’s claim)
• demanding legally required rest periods or meal breaks
• requesting an accommodation for a disability
• requesting or taking pregnancy, family, or medical leave
• taking leave to vote
• taking leave for jury duty
• political affiliation
• marital or family status
• reporting sexual harassment
• supporting a co-worker’s claim of sexual harassment or discrimination
• filing a workers’ compensation claim
• refusing to sign an unlawful non-competition agreement
• using any employer provided benefit

California Wrongful Termination Attorney

Call a California Employment Lawyer today for a free initial consultation.

At the Spencer Law Firm, our experienced employment lawyers will evaluate your case and help you determine whether you have been wrongfully terminated from your job. If you have been wronged by your employer, we will aggressively protect your rights and fight to recover damages such as front and back pay, benefits, and compensation for emotional distress. Punitive damages are also possible, as well as reinstatement to your former position. Call the Spencer Law Firm today for a free initial consultation