Being let go from your job is never pleasant, but it is a lot worse when you know that the termination was wrongful. Your employer has certain obligations towards you, such as keeping you on even if you fall pregnant or upholding the contract they signed. If you believe that they failed to uphold their end of the bargain, you can contact a Missouri lawyer about wrongful termination and claim compensation for your losses.
Depending on your contract, your employer might let you go for a number of reasons; for example, if they no longer need your services or if you didn’t perform according to their requirements. However, there are other issues that are not grounds for termination. Today, let’s have a closer look at the situations that warrant a lawsuit and what you can do if you have been wrongfully terminated.
Who Should Contact a Lawyer Due to Wrongful Termination in Missouri?
Letting employees go for unfair reasons is not legal in our state, and you can hold your employer responsible if they didn’t meet their obligations. This is easiest if you have a contract, but you can file a lawsuit even if you don’t. You simply have to prove that your boss terminated your employment due to pregnancy, discrimination, or because you reported them to the authorities.
Once you’ve contacted your lawyer and explained your case to them, they will determine whether you should go ahead with your claim or not. If so, you could gain significant compensation, which makes up for the financial hardship you might face because of your job loss. What’s more, you are holding your former employer responsible so they don’t repeat this behavior in the future.
A Breach of Your Contract
The most clear-cut cases include a contract that both you and your employer signed when you first began your job. It might stipulate that you must be given notice of employment termination, are entitled to a certain amount of severance pay, and that you can’t be let go for certain reasons. If your employer doesn’t uphold everything written in your contract, you might have grounds for a lawsuit.
No matter your situation, you should always get in touch with an experienced lawyer who can review your contract and let you know where you stand. They know all the legal terms used and can therefore help you achieve the best outcome possible.
Termination Due to Pregnancy
Falling pregnant and having to take time off is not a reason for your employer to let you go. What’s more, they are not allowed to discriminate against you because you are pregnant or you might become so in the near future. Despite this, there are still many companies that are reluctant to hire women in their 20s and 30s, especially those who are married or likely to have children soon.
If you have been the victim of this kind of wrongful termination, you should speak to a highly qualified attorney and ask for compensation from your employer. They are legally obligated to keep you on even if you’re pregnant, as long as you fulfill your role. Although there is no law that requires pregnancy leave in Missouri, your boss should keep your job open for you if you need to take time off.
Termination Due to Discrimination
In the past, many employers didn’t hire people due to their gender, race, religion, disability, or age. Nowadays, this is illegal, but that doesn’t mean it has disappeared completely. Depending on the company and superiors you work for, you might still become the victim of this kind of behavior. If you believe that you have been fired because your boss discriminated against you, it’s important to act.
Taking a stand against this issue doesn’t only help you receive the compensation you need, but it also sends a clear signal to company leaders. In future, they might be more careful about their actions and avoid repeating the same mistake. Your attorney will help you prove that you have been let go because of your background, and they will fight for your rights to equal treatment.
Termination Because You Reported Your Employer
Every employee has the right to report their employer if they act against the law. Most commonly, this involves behavior that is unsafe or unfair towards employees. For example, if your boss puts your health at risk by exposing you to toxic chemicals or failing to secure the premises you work on, you are allowed to report them without having to fear dismissal.
Another frequent issue is sexual harassment, which should always be addressed as quickly as possible. In addition to such health and safety violations, there are other regulations your employer must uphold. Any employee is allowed to come forward if there are environmental issues or similar breaches of the law. Even though the employer might face the consequences, they can’t terminate your contract because you reported them.
Getting in Touch with an Expert
The situations mentioned above are some of the most frequent reasons why you can claim compensation for being terminated. There are other examples, so you should contact a lawyer to find out if your situation qualifies. Start by visiting law firms’ websites and finding out which attorneys in your area are experienced with employment law. They will know all the rules and regulations and therefore be the best person to advise you.
When you’ve found an attorney with good qualifications and a lot of experience, you can call them and ask for an initial consultation. They will listen to you and explain whether you should start a lawsuit or not. At the same time, you can find out whether you like their communication style and want to work with them long-term. If so, you can retain them, and they will start building your case straight away.
What Can Your Lawyer Do?
Most people who have been wrongfully terminated don’t want to go back to their previous job because the environment was toxic. However, they might have needed the work and are now suffering financially, especially if they were let go on bad terms. For this reason, the best course of action is usually to claim compensation for the losses incurred. In some cases, the employee would like to return to work, but this is rare.
Your attorney will discuss your situation and let you know how much you can expect to receive. The compensation should cover any financial losses, both current and projected, and secure your family’s economic wellbeing.
Contact Us to Learn More
Wrongful termination is a serious problem because it can affect your life significantly. If your boss lets you go without a reference, you might have trouble finding another position. Although this is warranted if you didn’t perform well at your job, there are some situations that don’t allow for termination. Pregnancy and reporting your employer for illegal behavior aren’t grounds for letting you go.
Similarly, you shouldn’t lose your job due to discrimination, whether it’s age, race, or religion-related, and your employer must uphold the contract they signed when they first took you on. Get in touch with us today at Holman Schiavone in Missouri to speak to a top termination lawyer about your case. They will have a closer look at your situation and determine whether you should file a lawsuit and claim compensation.
