Wrongful Termination
Petronelli Law Group has experienced employment attorneys that represent clients in wrongful termination claims throughout California.
Wrongful termination claims are very fact-specific and whether or not a claim for wrongful termination exists depends on the facts of each case.
In general, employees are considered to be “at-will” employees — meaning that the employer can terminate the employee for any reason (so long as the reason is not unlawful). If the true reason for termination is unlawful, then the employee can bring a claim for wrongful termination.
Here are just a few reasons for termination that are unlawful in California and, therefore, would be a basis for a wrongful termination claim:
- Terminations for complaining about unpaid wages
- Terminations for complaining about missed meal or rest breaks
- Terminations for taking maternity or paternity leave
- Terminations for requesting an accommodation for a disability
- Terminations for refusing sexual advances at work
- Terminations for complaining about sexual harassment in the workplace
- Terminations for complaining about the employer’s violation of state or federal law, i.e., whistleblowers
- Terminations for refusing to engage in unlawful activities at work
- Terminations for taking FMLA/CFRA leave
- Terminations for taking sick leave
- Terminations for opposing discrimination at work
- Terminations for opposing harassment at work
