How At-Will Employment Affects Wrongful Termination Claims in Los Angeles?

At-will employment covers most California workplace relationships between employers and employees. Under at-will employment, both employees and employers alike terminate their contracts with or without notice for almost any reason and at any time. At-will employment terms, however, do not apply to all circumstances. Therefore, it is critical to understand how at-will employment affects wrongful termination claims in Los Angeles.

California knows how important the workforce is to the state’s infrastructure and has enacted several laws to protect the rights of those workers.

Understanding At-Will Employment in California

An at-will employment arrangement in California is the default arrangement between an employee and employer unless another contract is agreed upon in those states otherwise. Under at-will employment laws, employers can fire an employee at any given time without providing a reason. The same goes for employees who have the autonomy to leave their jobs at any time without having to state why.

There are, however, exceptions to at-will employment laws in which termination can be unlawful. Employees who have been wrongfully terminated under at-will laws may be entitled to various forms of compensation for damages such as lost income and benefits, emotional distress, punitive damages, and legal expenses. Understanding these exceptions to termination under at-will employment laws is critical for workers seeking compensation for damages.

Illegal Terminations

Although at-will employment laws in California give both employees and employers the liberty to leave a job arrangement with more flexibility, there are still certain exceptions that could constitute wrongful termination. An employment lawyer can help you determine whether one or more of the following termination exceptions applies to your case:

• Termination is based on retaliation. Under California law, employees cannot be fired for exercising certain legal rights, such as reporting workplace discrimination or harassment, reporting illegal workplace activity, or being a part of a lawsuit or investigation against the employer. Furthermore, employees cannot fire workers or file a workers’ compensation claim after they have been injured on the job.
• Firing based on discriminatory reasons. Another exception to at-will employment arrangements involves the protection of workers from being filed based on a protected characteristic, including religion, age, race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. If you believe you’ve been fired based on one or more of these characteristics, you may have legal grounds for a wrongful termination case.
• Termination in breach of an employment contract. Although California employment relationships are based on at-will employment, employment contracts that give further protections can be agreed upon. Such contracts may lay out the reasons an employee can be fired, state terms of severance if they are fired, and outline the length of employment. Wrongful termination cases can arise if an employer breaches both a written and unwritten understanding.
• Firing based on legal violation or a breach of public policy. An employee cannot be fired for exercising their civil rights under California and federal law. This means that if they take leave that is protected from termination, such as under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act, or if they refuse to be part of legal behavior associated with the company, they cannot be fired as a result of this behavior.

Understanding whether you have been wrongfully terminated even if your employment was at-will can be deeply complex, involving knowledge of local and state employment law, as well as experience handling similar cases. An experienced employment lawyer can help you collect evidence and bring forward strong legal arguments to show how your termination falls under the umbrella of the exceptions to at-will employment, helping you pursue optimal compensation.

FAQs

What Is the At-Will Presumption in California?

In California, the at-will presumption defines how an employee and employer can terminate an employment relationship at any time. It states that this relationship can be terminated with or without a specific cause, with or without given notice, and at any given time. In California, this is generally the default employment agreement unless another contract is written that states otherwise. There are still, however, conditions in which termination can be illegal under at-will presumption laws.

What Is an Illegal Reason for Firing Someone Under California At-Will Law?

Even in at-will arrangements under California law, there are still various reasons for firing an employee that can be illegal. For example, if the employee is fired based on a protected characteristic, such as religion, gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status, this is strictly illegal. Furthermore, firing someone for reporting illegal activities, refusing illegal activities, or taking protected leave is against the law. A lawyer can determine whether you were illegally terminated.

Can I Be Legally Fired in California?

According to the at-will employment law in California, it is possible to be legally fired for almost all reasons or for no reason. However, the reason for being fired cannot be illegal or based on discriminatory practices. Legal reasons for being fired include business restructuring and needs, as well as subpar job performance. Working with a qualified lawyer can help empower you to fight back.

Can I Sue My California Employer for Firing Me Under an At-Will Employment Arrangement?

It is possible to sue your employer under certain circumstances of an at-will employment arrangement. If your employer fired you based on an attempt to report violations of the law, reasons that are discriminatory, or for exercising certain workers’ rights, such as taking protected medical or family leave, you may have legal grounds to file a lawsuit against your employer. An experienced employment lawyer can help you understand what your legal options are.

Fight Back Against Wrongful Termination With an Experienced LA Employment Lawyer

Understanding California’s at-will employment laws and how they impact your employment termination situation can be complicated and difficult to navigate. An experienced employment lawyer from Shirazi Law Firm, PC, can analyze the details of your situation to determine whether your termination was illegal. Together, we can explore your legal options, working to pursue the compensation you’re entitled to and protect your rights. Contact us today to get started.