Know the Three Most Common Reasons Why Workers File Wrongful Termination Claims

New Jersey is an at-will employment law state. Employers do not necessarily need “just cause” to terminate a worker. With that being said, businesses and organizations cannot fire or lay off a worker for an illegal reason. At Poulos LoPiccolo PC, we handle all types of wrongful termination cases. In this article, our New Jersey wrongful termination attorney provides an overview of the three most common types of cases.

1. Discrimination 

Wrongful termination based on discrimination remains one of the most common and egregious violations of worker rights in New Jersey. State and federal law strictly prohibit employers from firing an employee because of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability. Discrimination may hide behind pretext. Companies generally do know that discrimination is illegal. They will rarely (though sometimes) openly admit that a worker was let go for a discriminatory reason. An employer could try to give a false, non-discriminatory reason why a worker was fired, laid off, or otherwise discharged. Workers should not accept this. If you were terminated under suspicious circumstances tied to a protected characteristic, a New Jersey wrongful termination attorney can help. 

2. Retaliation 

Employers cannot punish workers for asserting their rights, yet retaliation is a leading cause of wrongful termination cases in New Jersey. If you reported harassment, filed a wage complaint, sought accommodations for a disability, or acted as a whistleblower, the law shields you from retaliation. Firing an employee in response to such protected activity is a direct violation of state and federal employment laws. Retaliation often follows quickly after the employee’s protected action. Standing up for yourself or coworkers should never cost you your job. Retaliatory termination is unlawful. A New Jersey employment lawyer with experience handling wrongful termination cases can help to protect your rights and your interests. 

3. Breach of Contract

Although New Jersey is an at-will employment state, many workers have employment contracts, union agreements, or company policies that create enforceable obligations. An employment contract is legally binding and legally enforceable if it is properly drafted. When an employer disregards those commitments and fires an employee in violation of agreed terms, it is a breach of contract and a wrongful termination. breach strips employees of the protections they reasonably relied on when accepting the job. If your employer terminated you in defiance of contractual obligations, you may be entitled to legal relief and significant compensation.

Contact Our New Jersey Wrongful Termination Lawyer Today

At Poulos LoPiccolo PC, our New Jersey wrongful termination attorney puts clients first. If you were terminated because of discrimination, retaliation, and/or a breach of contract, we are here to help. Contact us today for a fully confidential initial consultation. It is our mission to provide the highest level of personalized legal guidance and support to clients. With an office in Monmouth County, we handle wrongful termination cases throughout all of New Jersey.

Source:

nj.gov/labor/wageandhour/support/faqs/wageandhouremployerfaqs.shtml