Wrongful termination law addresses situations where an employee is fired in a way that violates the law, even in states that follow the "at-will" employment doctrine, which generally allows employers to dismiss workers for any reason or no reason at all. Despite that broad employer discretion, certain firings are prohibited.
The most common disputes involve terminations that are alleged to be discriminatory — based on race, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. Employees may also have legal recourse when they are fired in retaliation for reporting workplace safety violations, filing a workers' compensation claim, cooperating with a government investigation, or engaging in other legally protected activities. Some claims arise when an employer breaches an explicit employment contract or implied promises made in an employee handbook.
Remedies in wrongful termination cases can include reinstatement, back pay, compensatory damages, and in some cases punitive damages or attorney's fees. The strength of a claim depends heavily on the facts, the applicable federal and state statutes, and the employment relationship itself. State laws vary considerably — some states provide broader employee protections than federal law requires — and the legal landscape continues to evolve through legislation and court decisions.
