Universally employers are legally prohibited from firing an employee based on: Discrimination based on race, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, religion, pregnancy, marital status, or disability. Reporting an employment violation or bringing wrongdoing to light as a whistleblower. Filing a whistleblower claim.
If you have an employment contract and your employer fires you without good cause, you may have a legal claim for breach of contract.
Utah employees also sue their employers for breach of an employment contract or under the public policy exception to the employment at-will doctrine.
While multimillion awards are possible, it is crucial to keep in mind that federal laws limit the amount of punitive and compensatory damages awarded in cases involving wrongful termination. They cannot exceed $50,000 – $300,000, depending on the number of employees working for the employer's business.
Although employers may legally let employees go from their jobs for no reason (when employment is “at will”), it is against federal and state laws to fire someone because of their race, ethnicity, country of origin, gender or sexual orientation, age and/or disability.
Utah prohibits an employer from discharging an employee for a reason deemed to be in violation of a clear and substantial public policy. An employee terminated in violation of a clear and substantial public policy may sue for wrongful discharge.
Termination can also be considered wrongful if it violates certain terms of the original employment contract. For example, an employer cannot fire an employee if the employee was hired under a contract that promised job security. In this case, the employment of the individual who was hired is not “at-will” employment.
If you have an employment contract and your employer fires you without good cause, you may have a legal claim for breach of contract.
Universally employers are legally prohibited from firing an employee based on: Discrimination based on race, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, religion, pregnancy, marital status, or disability. Reporting an employment violation or bringing wrongdoing to light as a whistleblower.
If you're fired unfairly, gathering evidence and seeking legal help is key to building a strong case. Settlements vary widely but could range from $5,000 to over $1 million based on your situation's specifics.