What is Wrongful Termination?

While businesses frequently have a lot of discretion when it comes to hiring and dismissing employees, firing an employee in some situations may be considered unjust. Terminations that contradict a state's public policy, terminations after an implicit employment contract has been established, and terminations in breach of the implied obligation of good faith and fair dealing are all examples of common law wrongful termination. Terminations made in violation of federal, state, or municipal anti-discrimination legislation are also considered wrongful terminations. Although many persons who are fired believe their dismissal was "wrongful," especially if it was done without cause, the legal definition of wrongful dismissal is a little more complicated. Dismissing an employee for filing a legal complaint against the company or revealing the firm's misdeeds as a whistleblower is also illegal. Such actions are considered "retaliation" and hence prohibited. The section on Wrongful Termination delves into the meaning of "at-will" employment, how to tell if you have an implied employment contract, what constitutes wrongful termination, and how to file a case against an employer. Even if you were fired "for cause," you may be able to sue your former employer for wrongful termination if you believe you were fired for an improper reason.

Termination in Violation of Employment Agreements

Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires employees in violation of their employment contract's conditions. Written contracts or other statements that guarantee workers job stability, regular advancement, or precise termination procedures show that they are not employed at will. An employment contract, for example, may stipulate that a worker can only be fired for specified reasons, such as failing to fulfill performance standards. It would be wrongful termination if the employee was fired for reasons other than those stated in their employment contract.

Firing an employee in breach of a company's specific discipline or termination policy may also be illegal. Even if employment is ordinarily at-will, if an employer handbook contains certain disciplinary measures, such as requiring a certain number of warnings before termination, the employer may be obligated to follow such rules. Employees who have been fired may be able to establish that their dismissal was based on a breach of an oral or implied commitment. A court may find that an implied employment contract occurred where an employer made explicit guarantees of continuous employment or particular termination processes, for example. Courts will consider variables such as the length of a worker's employment, the frequency of promotions, oral or written guarantees given to the employee, and the employer's customary practises and patterns of behavior when determining whether an implied contract existed.

You may be entitled to back pay, reinstatement, compensatory damages, and other relief if you believe you were unlawfully terminated. Because the meaning of wrongful termination differs by jurisdiction, you should speak with an experienced employment law attorney in your area about your specific situation. An attorney can assist you in gaining a better understanding of the laws in your area and the options accessible to you.