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Orange County Wrongful Termination Lawyers

Orange County and federal law protects workers like you from being penalized or dismissed from work for complaining about unlawful conduct or engaging in protected activities. This illegal dismissal is wrongful termination retaliation.

Orange County Wrongful Termination Comes in Many Forms

Wrongful termination happens when an employment relationship is ended by an employer in violation of the employee’s legal rights.⁠ In Orange County, wrongful termination claims can arise when an employer violates a state or federal statute,⁠ general principles of public policy, the worker’s employment contract, or some other aspect of the law.

  • Age
  • Race, Color, Ancestry or Nation of Origin
  • Disability or Medical Condition
  • Marital or Family Status
  • Gender Identity or Expression
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Religion or Religious Expression

California law makes it illegal to fire an employee for engaging in certain legally protected activities, including:

  • Making complaints about discrimination or harassment
  • Taking a medically necessary leave
  • Serving jury duty
  • Serving in the military
  • Taking time off to vote
  • Seeking to form a union
  • Participating in workplace investigations

Termination isn’t the only negative job action employees may experience due to their participation in a legally protected activity. Retaliation can take a number of more-subtle forms, including:

  • Demotion
  • Disciplinary actions
  • Salary reduction
  • Job or shift reassignment

Legally-binding employment contracts can often supersede the “at-will” employment relationship. Your termination may be in wrongful breach of contract if your employer has failed to meet its contracted promises of job security, including:

  • Written or verbal agreements that stipulate you can only be fired for good cause
  • A guarantee of continuous employment for a certain duration of time
  • A contractual obligation to be provided with notice in advance of a termination
  • Situations where an employer’s established performance management protocol was not properly followed prior to termination.

Our Approach

Our Practices are Guided by Integrity. We’ll protect what you deserve.

We work tirelessly and fight tenaciously to hold rights abusers accountable.

If you’ve experienced a distressing incident related to an issue like this, call us for a free case evaluation.

Did You Know?

Retaliation
Federal and state laws protect employees from retaliation for reporting unlawful or unsafe working conditions either within the organization or to government agencies.
Quiet Firing
Quiet firing, where an employer creates a hostile or unfulfilling work environment to indirectly force an employee to resign, is not explicitly illegal in California, but affected employees may have rights under laws against constructive discharge and workplace harassment.

Is It Illegal, or Just Unfair?

Employers and businesses wield significant power, and unfair treatment can upend an employee’s life. Discrimination and harassment can undercut an employee’s self-esteem, sense of safety, and mental and physical health. Often, our clients are eligible to receive compensation for the mistreatment they experienced. We will help you understand your rights as a California worker and guide you through the complicated legal system to obtain the justice you deserve. 

Litigation is our specialty, and we believe all workers should be protected in the legal system. That’s why Matern Law Group works to empower, support, and champion each client. We are proud of our history of representing workers from across the state. Our clients come from all industries, backgrounds, and income levels. Our team has handled a variety of different disputes between companies and their employees. We have represented individual workers and groups of workers who experienced similar mistreatment. We care about protecting those who need it most. Whether or not you are familiar with the legal system or your rights as an employee, our attorneys and legal assistants will help you through the process and ensure a favorable outcome.

We aim to make our law firm more than just a business. With our team of experienced, tenacious employment lawyers, we are ready to protect your rights. If you believe you experienced illegal mistreatment, contact our team of attorneys and get a free consultation. You have a right to a safe, ethical workplace. 

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