Wrongful Termination
Although employment is generally considered terminable at-will in California, employers are prohibited from terminating employees for unlawful reasons or reasons that contravene fundamental public policies. An employee may assert a wrongful termination claim in conjunction with a statutory claim, such as a claim under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). In some cases, where an employer is exempt from liability under the FEHA or a claim under the FEHA cannot be asserted for procedural reasons, a wrongful termination claim based on public policy may still be asserted against the employer.
Examples of employer conduct that may support a wrongful termination claim include:
- Firing an employee for complaining about unsafe working conditions
- Firing an employee for whistleblowing
- Firing an employee for retaliatory reasons
- Firing an employee for discriminatory reasons based on a protected characteristic such as age, race, gender, national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion or sexual orientation
- Firing an employee for refusing to release the employer from liability
- Firing an employee for utilizing family or medical leave
- Firing an employee for demanding prompt payment of earned wages or complaining about unlawful wage and hour practices
- Firing an employee for testifying at a hearing
- Firing an employee for participating in political activities outside the workplace
- Firing an employee for refusing to engage in unlawful activities
If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated, Galante Law, Inc. can help you understand your rights.
Please click here for the links to other Labor and Employment claims.
Free initial consultation. No attorney’s fees if no recovery.
Galante Law, Inc. offers employees a free initial consultation on labor and employment matters. Galante Law, Inc. represents employees on a contingency fee basis and does not take any attorney’s fees unless and until a settlement award or judgment is received. If there is no recovery or settlement the client is liable for costs only. Please contact us online or by telephone at 213-785-1900 to arrange a free consultation.