At the Leichter Law Firm, APC, the Los Angeles employment law attorney, Aryeh Leichter, knows California is an “at-will” employment state. At-will employment is a legal doctrine that states that either the employer or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, or no reason. The employer can terminate the employee for any legal reason without warning and without having to disclose cause. The employee can quit their job without notice or explanation.
However, if you believe you have been wrongfully terminated in California, taking specific steps to protect your rights and potentially seek legal remedies is essential. Here are a few steps to take to help strengthen your case.
Outline Why You Believe You Were Wrongfully Terminated
It is not enough to think a California employer wrongfully terminated you. You must be able to prove that it is true. Under California law, it is illegal to terminate an employee based on their race, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or other protected status or in retaliation for reporting illegal, immoral, or unsafe activity within an organization.
Gather & Preserve All Relevant Documentation
Keep a detailed record of the circumstances leading up to your termination, including dates, times, locations, and the names of individuals involved. Note any conversations or incidents that may be relevant to your case.
Gather and preserve any documentation related to your employment, such as employment contracts, performance evaluations, emails, text messages, or other correspondence that might support your case.
If there were witnesses to incidents leading up to your termination or the termination itself, ask them to provide written statements or testify on your behalf if necessary.
Review the Company Employment Policies and File a Complaint Internally
Review your employer’s policies and procedures, including those related to termination, harassment, and reporting misconduct, and ensure you followed company protocols by reporting the issue internally to HR or upper management based on how it applies to your unique circumstances.
In turn, outline any areas where the company fell short of abiding by their employment policies so their lack of protocol can be included in your case.
Consider the Legal Requirements for Filing a Wrongful Termination Claim in California
Depending on the nature of your case, you may need to file a complaint with government agencies such as the California Civil Rights Department or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before establishing a legal claim.
The best way to determine what your next steps should be is to contact Aryeh Leichter, the Leichter Law Firm, APC founder and employment law attorney in Los Angeles County today to discuss the legal remedies that may be available for your unique workplace circumstances today, starting with a free consultation by calling 818-915-6624 or contacting the firm online.