Losing your job all of a sudden can be extremely stressful. Besides the immediate and long-term financial consequences, you have more reasons to worry if the termination was unlawful or illegal. Unfortunately, wrongful termination is rather common in Connecticut, and many employees fail to act or protect their rights. Law firms like Carey & Associates P.C. fight and seek justice for employees, and if you are in a situation where you don’t know what to do next, you should schedule a consultation. In this guide, let’s talk about wrongful termination in detail.
What exactly is wrongful termination?
If your employer has fired you in violation of state and federal laws, you may have a case of wrongful termination. It could be related to contractual laws too. Your termination could be an outcome of discrimination, breach of contract, or retaliation. In order to filing a wrongful termination lawsuit, you must prove that you have been treated unfairly. Like most states, Connecticut is an at-will employment state, which means your employer can choose to fire you for any reason and without notice. However, the state and federal laws exist to protect employees who have been fired illegally.
Examples of wrongful termination
There are several situations where your job termination could be illegal, including:
Following sexual harassment: If you were subjected to sexual harassment at work in any form but refused to submit to that and were fired in return, this is a case of wrongful termination. It could also be a case where you filed a harassment complaint against a supervisor who asked for sexual favors but were laid off.
Following discrimination: If you suffered discrimination because of your age, race, disability, and age and filed a complaint, your employer cannot fire you for raising your voice. Sadly, discrimination-based wrongful termination is rather common across the US.
Retaliation: You have the right to exercise your rights at the workplace. Whether it is about reporting overtime payment violation or sexual harassment, your employer cannot fire you for that reason. If you voiced your opinion or engaged in whistle-blowing activities and were laid off for that, you have a case of wrongful termination.
Breach of employment contract: Your employer cannot fire you for a reason that is a direct breach of the employment contract. If you think your employment contract was violated in any manner, check with an attorney to know the next steps.
Steps to take following wrongful termination
Firstly, determine the exact reason why you were terminated from your job. Did you report sex discrimination? Was it a case of racial or religious discrimination? Did your employer retaliate because you reported a few things that were wrong? Employers are usually smart about terminations, and in most situations, they use pretextual reasoning. You should write down everything that happened, even if you don’t understand the legalese. You are not an employment law expert, but your story has persuasive power. As the next step, meet an employment attorney and take your case further. Make sure you have collected all relevant documents and paperwork that may help the case. If you arm your attorney with evidence and details, they are in a better place to take further legal action.
Meeting a wrongful termination lawyer
Not all law firms in Connecticut specialize in wrongful termination cases or fight for employees. Choose the right attorney and ask relevant questions about their experience and expertise. Discuss the legal options and how they plan to take the case forward. You should be aware of their strategy and approach. Ensure you are honest, fair, and transparent with the lawyer about facts and details.
Make a list of top wrongful termination lawyers in Connecticut now!
