What Is Wrongful Termination?
California is an at-will employment state. This means that an employer can terminate an employee for any reason so long as it is not for a retaliatory or discriminatory reason. However, there are protected activities for which an employee cannot be legally terminated, such as:
- Retaliating against an employee who has raised legitimate claims, such as reporting an illegal activity (whistleblowing) within the organization or refusing to participate in an illegal activity
- Terminating an employee for involvement in an investigative process of labor law violations that they or others have experienced
- Terminating an employee due to a medical condition or disability
- Terminating an employee for taking legally protected leave such as CFRA or Paid Sick Leave
- Discriminating against an employee for reasons such as race/ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious belief, or disability is a violation of employment law.
If an employee believes that they have been terminated for any of the reasons above, they can file a wrongful termination claim against their employer. These claims are not taken lightly, particularly in the state of California. These types of claims can be costly to an employer, not only financially but also reputationally.
Why You Need an Experienced Wrongful Termination Claim Defense Attorney
It is wise for an employer to hire a California wrongful termination defense lawyer who can help minimize risks before a wrongful termination claim arises. A forward-looking, full-service employment law firm can add tremendous value. They can provide the type of strategic guidance and develop policies and procedures that become a standard part of business operations to minimize your legal risk of such a claim.
The advice from a knowledgeable Employer Defense Attorney is extremely valuable. The risk of a wrongful termination can arise, even if the employer is terminating an employee for a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason. With the help of a Wrongful Termination Defense Attorney, we can assist employers in minimizing their legal risk of such claims.
Wrongful Termination Risk Management for Employers
Employer liability in wrongful termination claims can be minimized by creating a strong partnership between HR and an experienced Employer Attorney. Employment disputes are best avoided through proactive measures that involve proper training of employees, consistent policies, thorough documentation, and investigation (if applicable).
When Litigation Is Unavoidable, We Fight for Our Clients.
At Chauvel & Glatt, an employer’s defense strategy becomes our primary focus when a claim is brought against them. This holds true for any type of claim of an employment law violation. We are known as an employment law firm and business ally that solves our clients’ legal concerns.
If you would like to learn more on how we assist you to minimize a claim of wrongful termination or defend your Company against a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit, contact us today.
