Wrongful Fire: Illegal Reasons For Terminating an Employee

Most people cannot afford to lose their jobs. We depend on our income to support ourselves and our families. However, all too often, workers are terminated for illegal reasons in Los Angeles. At the Azadian Law Group, PC, we help workers who have been wrongfully terminated from their jobs. Below, our wrongful termination lawyers discuss the most common illegal reasons an employer fires a worker and what you can do if you have been a victim.

Employers cannot fire for a variety of reasons

When you go to work in an “at-will” employment state, you know that you can be fired for just about any reason. However, both state and federal law offers protection from termination for a variety of reasons. Importantly, you cannot be fired for discrimination or retaliation. You also cannot be fired for requesting or participating in state and federally protected programs. Broken down, the following are illegal reasons to fire an employee:

• Illegal discrimination: The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and California state laws protect workers from discrimination. Between a combination of state and federal laws, an employee cannot be discriminated against due to their:
  • Race or color
  • Ethnicity or nationality
  • Gender or sexual identity
  • Sexual orientation
  • Pregnancy status
  • Disability
  • Marital status
  • Religion (or lack of religion)
  • Age
• Retaliation against an employee: Employees are protected from retaliation and termination for a wide range of reasons. This includes:
  • Reporting unsafe working conditions
  • Discovering and reporting wage inequality between women and men
  • Reporting harassment or discrimination in the workplace
  • Participating in an investigation or lawsuit concerning harassment or discrimination
  • Refusing to participate in illegal or fraudulent activities or reporting such activities
• Violations of public policy: There are a variety of public policy violations that are considered wrongful termination. This can include firing an employee for:
  • Requesting their lawful disability accommodations
  • Taking time off through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act (FRA).
  • Serving in the military or National Guard
  • Taking time off to vote or for jury duty
• Refusal to follow written policies: In some cases, an employer refuses to follow specific disciplinary policies, including verbal and written warnings, before firing an employee.

It is time to get your case started

If you think you have been terminated from your job illegally, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At the Azadian Law Group, PC, we are dedicated to helping workers who have faced discrimination and retaliation in the workplace. Let us investigate your case and work to obtain the compensation you deserve, including:

• Pain and suffering damages
• Lost wages and benefits
• Reinstatement if necessary
• Compensation for any counseling needed
• Punitive damages against those responsible

If you need a Los Angeles wrongful termination attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 213-229-9031.