Some executive approaches you, a financial professional responsible for safeguarding records and reports. Due to be released Monday is an earnings report that may jeopardize company stock. He asks you to type up another report ‘overestimate earnings’ at the behest of other executives. That’s the report he wants to be sent to regulatory bodies.
But you refuse. The original report enters mainstream media, company stock plummets by no direct action of your own, and you’re immediately fired for failing to comply with an executive’s direct order to commit fraud.
This situation, along with similar actions, merit phoning a Riverside wrongful termination attorney at Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers.
Under California law, being terminated for failing to violate public policy is nearly a slam-dunk wrongful termination case.
Wrongful termination means that you were fired in a way that violates the law. You have the legal right to file a lawsuit against your employer to recover damages, and in some cases, other penalties and costs. In the above example, it may be appropriate for you to seek the advice of a skilled wrongful termination lawyer who can advise you as to the best course of action.
Generally, there are three ways that wrongful termination occurs:
- Employees are let go in violation of company policy;
- Employees are let go in violation of public policy; or,
- Employees are let go for illegal reasons, such as discrimination.
Wrongfully Terminated? We’re Willing To Fight
Cases of wrongful termination see damages consistent with tort law, meaning compensation expands well past wage and benefit losses. Suffering, punitive damages, emotional distress, and anxiety, along with medical bills that ensued from treating depression and similar issues stemming from job loss may be awarded by judges or juries in California. With an aggressive Riverside wrongful termination attorney working on your case, your odds of successfully holding an employer accountable for illegal firing increase tenfold. As employees from public and private sectors are empowered to sue employers for wrongful termination, don’t fear retaliation or think your place of employment is exempt; Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers can help determine case eligibility and will begin working on collecting evidence immediately. Discrimination-based discharges fall under wrongful termination, too.Terminated For Not Breaking The Law?
Failing to violate public policy, break Federal or State laws, or being coerced to cover up actions that may label you an accomplice to criminal activities are not grounds for termination. Seems redundant our law firm needs to address this, but some employers just don’t get it. We’ve taken cases where employees were downright terrified their failure to break company laws would land them in jail, fearing someone would frame them for crimes they didn’t commit.Proving Wrongful Termination in Violation of Public Policy According to California and Federal Law
When you have been fired for exercising a legal right or performing an obligation, you may have a valid legal claim against your employer. If that legal right or obligation was connected to an important public policy, as the plaintiff you can file a wrongful termination lawsuit. You cannot be retaliated against or fired for refusing to break the law. Employers may not fire you for taking time from work to serve on a jury or engaging in political activities. You may have a right to sue if you were fired for:- Performing a legal duty;
- Refusing to violate a statute;
- Reporting an alleged violation of a statute of public significance; or,
- Exercising a right or privilege.