shutterstock_232525075Do you believe you were wrongfully fired from your job? In most states, including New Jersey, employment is “at will”, meaning an employer or employee can end the working relationship at any time and for any non-discriminatory reason or no reason at all. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, and these exceptions are unlawful and called “wrongful termination”.

Examples of wrongful termination include breach of contract and firing due to discrimination and retaliation. If you were wrongfully terminated, you should contact Schorr & Associates. We can provide you with a free initial telephone consultation to determine whether you have an actionable claim. Here are some instances in which firing an employee is unlawful:

Breach of Contract

Though many employment positions are at-will, some employees will sign an employment contract and therefore have contractual rights. These rights may include a promise of employment for a designated period of time or a promise to pay compensation, commission, travel expenses and other benefits. A valid contractual agreement does not have to be a written document; it could also be a verbal promise. If an employer does not fulfill a contractual promise, then the employee can take legal action.

Discrimination

It is unlawful to fire at-will employees due to discriminatory reasons. New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD) protects employees from being discriminated against due to race, age, sex, creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital civil union or domestic partnership status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, or liability for service in the U.S. Armed Forces. If you were discriminated against in the workplace, contact us for a free initial telephone consultation.

Retaliation

Were you fired for filing sexual harassment charges against an employer or asking for worker’s compensation benefits, or complaining or refusing to participate in an unlawful action? Firing an employee as an act of retaliation is unlawful, and there are several laws protecting New Jersey employees from retaliation. Along with wrongful terminations, retaliation may also occur in the form of a demotion, transfer, salary reduction or harassment, and all of these situations are unlawful.

For more examples of unlawful terminations, click here. If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, contact our wrongful termination attorneys in NJ for a free consultation. Our lawyers have been representing wrongfully terminated clients for many, many years and have the skills, experience and passion needed to represent your case: 856-874-9090.