What are the legal remedies available to an employee in the event of termination?
If an employee has been fired without a good reason or in violation of federal or state law it could be a wrongful discharge which can be challenged. If the employee can bring a successful claim for wrongful discharge, employers can be made to pay back wages, fines, and possible punitive damages or even the employee can be reinstated. However, if the employee is an “at-will” employee there is little chance for the employee to succeed since the employer has the right to fire him/her for any or no reason at any time so as long as all protections afforded by state and federal law have been followed. Where no wrong has been committed, “at-will” employees have no remedy for employment termination.
Related Questions
- I am an employer who is being sued for wrongful termination, although my employee was fired for legal and valid reasons. What steps should I take to protect my company?
- What are the legal remedies available to an employee in the event of termination?
- How much termination notice should any employee give?
