Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee for an illegal reason or in violation of their legal rights. In El Segundo, California, employees may have a wrongful termination claim if they were fired for reasons like discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, or violation of state or federal labor laws. If you believe you were terminated unfairly, our experienced employment attorneys can review your case and advise you of your legal options.
Types of Wrongful Termination
California has strong laws protecting employees from discrimination based on a variety of factors, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If you were fired in El Segundo and believe it was due to discrimination based on any of these protected characteristics, you may have a wrongful termination claim. Matern Law Group can help you understand your rights under FEHA and determine if you have a legal case.
El Segundo Wrongful Termination Retaliation
California law protects employees from retaliation for engaging in certain legally protected activities at work. These include:
- Filing discrimination or harassment complaints: If you reported discrimination or harassment against yourself or a coworker and were subsequently fired, you may have a wrongful termination retaliation claim.
- Taking medically necessary leave: California law protects employees who need to take leave for serious medical conditions or to care for a sick family member under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
- Serving jury duty or military service: Employers cannot fire you for fulfilling your civic duty by serving on a jury or for taking leave to serve in the military.
- Taking time off to vote: California law protects your right to take time off to vote without penalty.
- Union activity: Employees have the right to join or form a union without fear of retaliation.
- Participating in workplace investigations: If you are interviewed or provide information during a workplace investigation, you cannot be fired for doing so.
If you were fired in El Segundo after engaging in any of these protected activities, you may have a wrongful termination retaliation claim. Matern Law Group, experienced employment attorneys, can review your case and advise you of your legal options.
El Segundo Retaliatory Punishment
California law protects employees not just from wrongful termination retaliation, but also from other negative actions taken by employers after engaging in protected activities. These can include subtler forms of retaliation, such as:
- Demotion to a lesser position: If you were demoted after reporting discrimination or requesting a medical leave, it may be retaliation.
- Disciplinary actions without cause: Being written up or suspended for minor infractions after engaging in protected activities could be retaliation.
- Salary reduction or denial of a raise: A sudden pay cut or being passed over for a promotion you deserved might be retaliation.
- Job or shift reassignment to a less desirable position: Being given a worse schedule or undesirable duties after speaking up could be retaliation.
If you’ve experienced any of these negative actions in El Segundo after engaging in protected activities at work, you may have a wrongful termination retaliation claim. Matern Law Group, experienced employment attorneys, can help you understand your rights and determine if you have a legal case.
Termination That Violates Contractual Terms (Breach of Contract)
California is an “at-will” employment state, meaning employers can generally fire employees without cause. However, a written employment contract can change these rules. If you have an employment contract in El Segundo and believe your termination violated its terms, you may have a wrongful termination breach of contract claim. This could apply in situations like:
- “Just Cause” Termination Clause: If your contract states you can only be fired for “just cause” (e.g., poor performance, misconduct) and you were fired without justification, you may have a case.
- Guaranteed Employment Term: Did your contract guarantee your employment for a specific period? If you were fired before that term ended, it could be a breach of contract.
- Severance Pay or Notice Requirements: Does your contract specify severance pay or require written notice before termination? If these terms were not followed, it may be a breach.
- Improper Performance Management: Did your employer fail to follow established performance review protocols before firing you? This could be a breach of contract.
If you have an employment contract in El Segundo and believe your termination violated its terms, our attorneys can review your contract and advise you of your legal options.
