California wrongful termination occurs when a person has been fired or laid off while exercising their legal work rights and duties, or acting in obligation to public safety. This happens when an employee is fired by an employer while refusing to violate a statute or performing a work requirement.
Gather evidence—collect any documentation, emails, performance evaluations, or other relevant records supporting your wrongful termination claim. Consult with an employment attorney—schedule a consultation with an experienced employment attorney specializing in California wrongful termination cases.
Two basic types of evidence can help prove wrongful termination: direct evidence and circumstantial evidence. Direct evidence is any documentation that provides clear proof that you were fired illegally. It's straightforward and requires no additional evidence to show that your employer broke the law.
Massachusetts operates under at-will employment, meaning employees can be terminated with or without cause, unless there's an employment contract in place. However, there are exceptions. If the termination is motivated by discrimination, it may be considered wrongful.
California Is an “At-Will” State California obeys “at-will” employment laws. This means that all employers have the right to terminate employees at will, for almost any reason, or for no reason at all.
In California, understanding your employment rights is essential, especially regarding termination. California is an “at-will” employment state, which means that employers can terminate employees without needing a specific cause or proof.
In Alberta, termination “without cause” generally refers to situations where an employee is let go due to reasons unrelated to misconduct, such as business restructuring or downsizing. On the other hand, termination “for cause” occurs when an employee is dismissed due to serious misconduct such as theft or harassment.
Wrongful dismissal is always dismissal without cause. If an employer has just cause for dismissal, then it is not a wrongful dismissal and the employee is not likely entitled to severance. If you have been wrongfully dismissed, you are likely entitled to at least some amount of severance.