Employment in California is “at will,” which means employees generally may be fired at any time without reason. However, employees are still granted protections against certain types of termination.

Common Reasons Employers Fire Employees that are Illegal

• Employee refused to break a law. If your employer tells you to do something which you know is illegal, and you refuse to comply, you cannot be fired for refusing to break the law.
• Employee reported a violation of a law. You cannot be fired if you report illegal activities performed by your employer.
• Employee did something that was a constitutional right. You cannot be fired for choosing to participate in a legally protected activity.
• Employee was performing a legal duty. You cannot be fired for doing something you are legally required to do.
• Termination was on the basis of being part of a protected group. These include race, religion, color, nationality, ancestry, disability or medical condition, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, or pregnancy / childbirth / related medical conditions. Moreover, an employer must take all reasonable steps necessary to prevent discrimination from occurring. Cal Gov Code 12940(k).

If you’ve been fired under any of these circumstances, you may have a legal claim. These are just some examples, so if you think you may have been wrongfully terminated, we encourage you to contact us to learn more.

What Remedies Does an Employee Have?

A wrongfully terminated employee may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, lost benefits, emotional distress, and depending on the reason for the termination, potentially punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs as well.

Contact Our Experienced Wrongful Termination Attorneys Today

If you feel your termination was unjustified or unlawful, contact us now. Hekmat Law Group has more than a decade of experience guiding clients in Los Angeles and in New York through complex wrongful termination claims. We understand the stress and uncertainty involved in being fired from a job and are utilize a strategic and comprehensive approach to achieve significant results for our clients.