Determining when an employer can fire a worker isn't just a case of business ethics, it is the law

| Friday, October 28, 2011
By Korai Wilson


Most staff are stunned to find out that In the US, a lot of employers hire staff "at-will," suggesting both the employer and worker may terminate the employment relationship at any time. Employees can quit at any time. Similarly, bosses may terminate a worker at any time unless the parties signed a work contract that sets the duration of work or the employer seeks to terminate the employee for an illegal cause. But if you've been illegally fired, you can hire wrongful termination attorneys to represent you.

Remedies - An employee who has been wrongfully ended must state a claim with the correct administrative agency or court that hears actions for wrongful dismissal; the proper location varies relying on what law or policy the employer violated and the character of the work (personal or public sector). If an employee successfully establishes that he was wrongfully discharged, the two main remedies are reinstatement of the discharged employee and financial compensation.

A worker also might have adequate grounds to file a court action against the employer for damages, such as a defamation or invasion of privacy action, responding to an employer's illegal actions in terminating the employee.

Breach of Good Faith and Fair Dealing - Some states recognise an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in work relations. This covenant requires employers to treat their employees reasonably. For example, an employer may break this covenant if it ends an employee right before an advantage would vest, just to not pay a bonus.

Break of Contract - Corporations often sign contracts with their workers to define the terms of work. Sometimes, the contract will say the work is when necessary and that either party may cancel the contract at any point. Nevertheless in some instances, the parties may agree a contract that expressly states the length of work and restricts the employer from terminating the employee in the work period absent "good cause." Usually, the contract will specify what acts comprise good cause.

Additionally, some states will find an implied contract of continued employment if the employer documented that it will only end the employee for good cause. Possible documents that may contain such provisions include an employer policy manual or an employee book that outlines the company's discipline or termination protocol.

State Policy Exceptions - Most states recognize "public policy" protections in addition to the express laws prohibiting wrongful dismissal. These protections change in nature and scope in different jurisdictions, but the grounds is the same: The law of that state creates an express or implied government policy which may be enfeebled if bosses are permitted to fire their employees in violation of that government policy. For example, public policy protection prevent employers from firing staff who make worker's compensation claims, since worker's compensation schemes were created by states to guard its voters.

Defamation of Character - A worker has been wrongfully terminated if an employer purposefully defamed him to make a case for his termination,eg falsely accusing an employee of nicking as an excuse to fire him.




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