San Francisco Wrongful Termination Attorneys
San Francisco Wrongful Termination Attorneys
Under California’s at-will employment laws, employers and employees both have the right to end the employment relationship for any reason – or no reason at all. That is unless the termination violates the law, public policy, or an employment contract.
Unfortunately, employers fire people for unlawful reasons on a regular basis, and those employers should be held liable for the losses employees incurred as a result. If you think your employer fired you for an illegal reason, discuss the matter with experienced San Francisco wrongful termination attorneys as soon as possible.
Reasons for Wrongful Termination
There are many reasons for firing someone that can constitute wrongful termination and lead the terminated employee to file a legal claim. Some reasons include:
- Based on a protected factor, such as the employee’s race, national origin, religion, age (for those over 40), sex or gender, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, medical condition, genetic information, or military status
- Complaining of unlawful discrimination or harassment at work or participating in a related investigation
- Reporting unlawful or unethical conduct at work internally or to the authorities
- Refusing to engage in unlawful conduct when requested by your employer
- Raising concerns about health and safety in the workplace
- Requesting or taking valid family and medical leave
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim for work-related injuries
- Exercising other legal rights or duties
Sometimes, wrongful termination will be fairly clear, such as if you reported illegal conduct at work and then got fired. On the other hand, not all wrongfully terminated employees recognize that their firing was unlawful. It is important to consult with an experienced attorney if you are suspicious of your employer’s reasoning.
Proving Wrongful Termination Claims
A successful claim for wrongful termination can provide the employee with compensation for lost income and benefits, emotional trauma when applicable, or possible reinstatement to their previous position. However, wrongful termination claims can be difficult to prove.
You might have a feeling that your employer fired you because of your pregnancy, age, or another factor, but you should not expect your employer to freely admit that. Instead, employers will try to avoid liability by giving another pretextual reason for your termination.
For example:
- You claim that your employer fired you in retaliation for participating in a sexual harassment investigation
- Your employer claims that you were fired due to decreased productivity or performance
- You then have the burden to prove that your employer’s reason was pretext, and the real reason for your termination was retaliation
Needless to say, this can be a difficult process. However, the right lawyer with experience handling wrongful termination cases will know what types of evidence you need to present to prove your claim and recover for your losses.
Let our San Francisco Wrongful Termination Attorneys Assess Your Rights
If you believe you were wrongfully terminated from your job, the law firm of Olivier & Schreiber P.C. is ready to help you. We can evaluate your situation and advise you whether you have a valid claim, as well as handle every step of the process. Contact us for more information today.
