Businesses are always looking for a competitive edge, and this may directly affect the well-being of employees. The unfair and unethical treatment of workers seems to be happening a lot these days. More and more workers in California and across the United States are taking a stand. Employment law can definitely be confusing. Workers who feel they have been subjected to illegal acts or wrongfully terminated should know their options.
Wrongful dismissal or termination occurs when an employee is fired without just cause. Just cause for termination can be when an employee breaks the terms of a contract or gross misconduct. Constructive dismissal is also a form of wrongful termination. This term is used to describe a change in an employee’s contract without consent, such as a reduction of pay. This can force a worker into a situation where he or she has no choice but to terminate employment.
Other examples of wrongful termination include when a worker is fired as a result of retaliation or when an employee suffers discrimination. When an employee is fired for just cause, the individual is entitled to nothing but outstanding wages or benefits. However, when an employee is wrongfully terminated, he or she may be entitled to compensation, among other things.
So, if an employee feels that he or she has been treated unfairly or wrongfully terminated, what can be done? Any employee in California who feels that he or she has been subjected to unlawful acts or fired without just cause should consult an experienced employment law attorney. A successfully litigated lawsuit could result in much-needed compensation to replace lost wages as well as reinstatement, if desired.