In the state of California, an employer is prohibited from firing an employee if doing so would violate public policy. This holds true despite the fact that California has been established as an at-will employment state.
While all employers are expected to understand this side of the law, the same does not hold true for workers. Instead, many people don’t realize there are laws in place to protect them in the event of a discharge due to violation of public policy.
To better understand this, it is important to learn more about common types of public policy violations. These violations can include but are not limited to terminating an employee for:
— Taking family leave
— Exercising a legal right
— Reporting or complaining about an employer’s illegal conduct
— Refusal to commit a legal act
— Reporting a federal or state violation
It can be hard for employees to stand up for their rights. In addition to confusion regarding the law, it is often a challenge to realize the steps that should be taken to remedy the situation.
If a person feels he or she was terminated in violation of public policy, there comes a time when it is a must to learn which steps to take, what options are available, and how to move forward in the appropriate manner. It can be scary to take the next step, but it is often the best thing to do.
Anybody seeking more information on this subject matter can search our website for advice. Begin your search on our “Wrongful Termination in Violation of Public Policy” webpage.