Employers can generally make the decision to terminate a worker for just about any reason. At-will employment laws make it difficult for those who have just lost their jobs to take legal action against a company. However, in some cases, people may qualify to file a...
Wrongful Termination
If an employee is in a protected class, does that mean you can’t fire them?
As a business owner, you sometimes have to fire employees. It’s a hard situation. But you know that it’s necessary. Recently, you’ve decided that you need to let one of your employees go for the good of the company. But the problem is that the employee is in a...
At-will employment laws are not an excuse for discrimination
Most of the United States uses at-will employment laws. Many employees never even think about it, and just assume that this is naturally how the business relationship works. An at-will employment arrangement is equal for both sides. This means that you can quit at any...
How to avoid a lawsuit when you fire an employee
If you run a business, you’re eventually going to have an employee who is simply nonproductive -- and you have to fire them. It’s important to handle terminations with care, both to avoid unnecessary drama for your company and the potential for litigation over...
Do you have to tell an employee why you’re firing them?
You decide to fire one of your employees. You approach them on a Monday and tell them that Friday will be their last day. They’re not pleased, and they demand to know why. You decline to tell them. They state that it’s illegal since you can’t fire them without letting...
Did your employer fire you in violation of their own policies?
At-will employment means that you can be fired for almost any reason or none at all. Rather than laying out reasons that people can be fired, the government simply mandates why they cannot be fired. You cannot be fire due to something like your gender, your race, your...
What should employers do when they terminate an employee?
Most employers don’t want to face claims of wrongful termination, discrimination or other unfair practices related to an employee's dismissal. One way to prevent this is to ensure that the termination process is transparent and handled in a manner that reduces the...
Did your employer violate your rights when they fired you?
Certain experiences can dramatically affect your financial circumstances and your career success. Suddenly losing your job with little forewarning can lead to delayed career development, reduced earning potential and weeks of stress as you transition to a new job....
The myths about wrongful termination
Wrongful termination can be frustrating, because you find yourself out of a job when you don't feel there was any valid reason for your firing. In some cases it comes down to a difference of opinion in your work abilities or other factors of job performance. But in...
Victims of retaliation: Save your emails
If you file a complaint against your employer with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), you can become the victim of retaliation. That's when your employer takes negative action against you resulting in harassment and bullying, lower wages, poor work...