Wrongful Termination

Most employment relationships are “at will.” This means that the employment relationship may be terminated for any reason or no reason at all, with or without cause.

However, it is illegal for an employer to terminate an employee for an unlawful reason.

Some examples of wrongful termination in California include:

• Terminating an employee due to a protected characteristic (such as the employee’s race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, etc.).

• Terminating an employee due to their political beliefs or affiliations.

• Terminating an employee for reporting a violation of the law (or for demanding that the employer follow the law).

• Terminating an employee for requesting time off that they are legally entitled to (such as for pregnancy, maternity/paternity, physical or mental disability, jury duty, etc.). 

“Constructive discharge” is a form of wrongful termination in California.  Constructive discharge occurs when working conditions are so intolerable that the employee is forced to quit.

These are just some examples of the types of scenarios that lead to a claim of wrongful termination under California law. Others exist.

If you have been terminated (or even if you believe that you are about to be terminated), contact us for a free case evaluation.