San Francisco Wrongful Termination and Retaliation Lawyers

Wrongful termination happens when an employment relationship is ended by an employer in violation of the employee’s legal rights.⁠ In San Francisco, 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.

Types of Wrongful Termination in San Francisco

• 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

San Francisco Wrongful Termination Retaliation

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

San Francisco Retaliatory Punishment

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

Termination That Violates Contractual Terms in San Francisco

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.