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Expertise - Best Employment Lawyers in Santa Clara 2021
Expertise - Best Employment Lawyers in Santa Clara 2022

Wrongful Termination: Everything You Need to Know

Everyday, people are fired or terminated from their job positions for various reasons. While employers often have the liberty to decide who gets to work for them or not, there are occasionally situations in which firing an employee is illegal. From the Title VII Civil Rights Act of 1964 to The Family and Medical Leave Act, there are multiple federal laws in place that protect an employee from unfair termination. If an employee believes that they have been wrongfully terminated from their job, they have the right to file a suit against their employer. To prevent the occurence of wrongful termination and protect the rights of employees, it is important that both employers and employees are aware of what is considered illegal in the workplace.

What is Wrongful Termination?

Without a specific contract, most employees are hired based on “at will” employment. This arrangement means that the employer has the right to fire an employee without having a good reason. There are exception to this type of employment, and the employer is protected in all situations except for when they fire a worker through discrimination or violation of public policy. When this occurs, the employee is considered to be wrongfully terminated from their job. In essence, wrongful termination is when an employee is dismissed from their job for an illegal reason.

Examples of Wrongful Termination

Discriminatory reasons for firing an employee are illegal in the state of California. Employers are not allowed to dismiss an employee due to factors such as:

  • Race
  • Age
  • Gender or Gender Identity
  • Pregnancy
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Mental or Physical Disability
  • Political Affiliation
  • National Origin
  • Religion

In addition, to these discriminatory factors, employers are not permitted to fire employees due to reasons that include:

  • Retaliation
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Whistle blowing
  • Previous law violations
  • Violation of employment
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Termination

If you have experienced wrongful termination, it is imperative to file a claim as soon as possible. In California, the statute of limitations for wrongful termination due to discriminatory reasons is merely 300 days. Similarly, a violation of public policy has a statute of limitations of two years. Violation of contract, on the other hand, has a statute of limitations that is conditional based on the contract. Regardless, it is recommended to file a claim as soon as possible if you believe you have been unjustly dismissed from your job.

Has Your Job Been Wrongfully Terminated?

Losing your job can be a stressful and devastating situation, especially if you have been dismissed for unlawful reasons. If you have been victim to wrongful termination, you have the right to pursue a civil suit against your employers. In these unprecedented times, it is central to contact a wrongful termination lawyer as soon as possible. At SAC Attorneys LLP, our lawyers are extensively educated and experienced with this facet of law. Located in San Jose, California, our team is prepared to fight aggressively on your behalf. To schedule a free consultation with us, please do not hesitate to give our office a call at (386) 755-1977 today.

Client Reviews
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Mr. Cai Is a Diligent Attorney. My sister and I were defendants in a civil litigation case. We hired James Cai and his law firm, SAC Attorneys LLP. Mr. Cai is a diligent attorney and responded to our questions in a timely fashion. He and his staff were very helpful in keeping us informed of the proceedings of the case and in explaining each step. Mr. Cai is also very conscientious of fees and costs, and avoided unnecessary charges. The results of the Summary Adjudication sided with us. The Court Trial resulted in the “Final Statement of Decision” and “Judgment after Court Trial” overwhelmingly siding with us. Cynthia F.
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I Am Truly Impressed. After spending a significant amount of time, money and efforts with my previous counsel at a larger law firm without getting meaningful results, I transferred my employment matter to SAC Attorneys LLP. The attorneys there were able to understand the complex situations of my case and put together an aggressive litigation strategy. We were able to file a compelling complaint within a week and forced the opposing party, which was represented by one of the largest law firms in California, to make a substantial settlement offer shortly thereafter. I am truly impressed by the no nonsense and results oriented approach by SAC Attorneys LLP attorneys. A job well done! X. Gao
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