According to California state law, California is an “at-will” employment state. Essentially, that means your employer is free to end your employment at any time they see fit to do so. However, that does not give your employer the right to terminate your position for any reason they so choose. A San Bernardino employment lawyer can help you determine if you have indeed been wrongfully terminated.

Situations, such as discrimination or breach of contract, can open the employer up to considerable legal action should you wish to seek retribution. As long as employers don’t violate California labor laws when they let you go, there’s very little you can do. However, if you believe your employer has terminated your position unfairly and in violation of state law, you should consider speaking with a wrongful termination lawyer.

Here are some of the situations that could result in a wrongful termination claim:

• Breach of Contract: Some workers in California have employment contracts that protect the employee from wrongful termination. They do so by limiting the kind of activity that can result in that worker losing their job. Typically, these contracts allow the employer to terminate employment based on good cause. If the employer fails to explain the cause that led to the termination, it could be considered wrongful termination.
• Retaliation: It is illegal in California to fire an employee in retaliation for something they did to protect themselves from the company. California’s Retaliation Complaint Investigation Unit investigates retaliation complaints in the workplace as the result of speaking out against discriminatory behaviors, questioning public policy, and more. Aside from termination, retaliation can result in a decrease in working hours, demotions, suspensions, or a pay reduction.
• Whistleblowing: If an employee stumbles into illegal activity that their employer is engaging in and reports it to the proper authorities, they may be considered a whistleblower. If you are then fired for reporting your employer’s illegal activities, it would likely be considered a wrongful termination. You should always report illegal activity to the proper authorities whenever you witness it. Otherwise, you might be found liable yourself.
• Pregnancy: If your employer terminates your position based solely on the fact that you are pregnant, that termination was unlawful, and you could have grounds for a wrongful termination claim. Pregnancy is protected under California labor laws and is a protected trait. Firing someone because they are pregnant is considered discrimination.
• Protected Class: Firing someone because of their protected class is blatant discrimination and grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit. Some of the protected classes recognized in California include race, age, religion, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, skin color, ancestry, and national origin.

If you have experienced any of these or other similar actions in San Bernardino, CA, you should contact a wrongful termination lawyer to discuss your legal options.