Getting terminated is one of the worst things that can happen. Considering how difficult it is to get employed when the unemployment rate is surmounting, the situation becomes even worse. After all, like many, even you must have been dependent on your job to remain financially safe and secure. But you know what is worse than getting terminated? It is getting wrongly terminated. Hence, you must understand wrongful termination, so you can possibly find a workaround and reach a fitting conclusion.
There are several reasons and causes of wrongful termination that I have learned about in recent years. It is why I want to create awareness surrounding wrongful termination, so people don't have to suffer for others' wrongdoings. First of all, what is wrongful termination.
Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination refers to an umbrella term where an employee gets wrongfully terminated. In other words, we can say that the employer fires or lays off the employee for an unlawful reason. Furthermore, when it comes to wrongful termination, the most common reasons behind it are:
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Sexual harassment
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Invasion of Privacy
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Retaliation
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Breach of Contract
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Discrimination (Gender discrimination, racial discrimination, age, sex, and even religions)
The U.S. has a governing federal agency called Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC administers and enforces civil laws against any forms of discrimination faced at the workplace. Surprisingly, the EEOC receives approximately 700000 calls every year. All of them are related to employment discrimination, and about half are related to wrongful termination. Hence, it has become critical to understand – how to know if you are wrongfully terminated? And to help you know that I am sharing some cases of wrongful termination that happens in general.
Cases of Wrongful Termination
Check out the following cases of wrongful termination and identify whether you were wrongfully terminated.
Termination Based on Gender
Termination based on gender is widely relatable, especially for women. Take, for example, a woman working in a male-dominated industry who applies for a promotion. Now, despite the worthiness of getting promoted, your boss declines your promotion. When you inquire for a reason, the boss tells you that you are not ready for the position. Since your employer doesn't expressly point out the reasons for denying promotion, it becomes evident that the rejection was gender-based. As a result, you lose motivation to work and eventually consider quitting the company. But before you can bring yourself up for it, the company wrongfully terminates you.
Termination Based on Sexual Identify
Homophobia and discrimination based on sexual identity have existed since forever. It is one of the reasons why so many people still hide their sexual identity. But with more awareness and emphasis on embracing your sexual identity, more people have started to come out of their shells. Now, if you are one such person who has received termination after you have come out to your employer, then your guess is correct. You most like have been wrongfully terminated because of your sexual identity.
Terminated for Retaliation
Above you saw a case of how promotions are declining based on genders, leading to wrongful termination. Here is another issue of how promotion can again lead to wrongful termination. Take, for example, you applied for a promotion because you feel you have earned it. However, your employer declines it, citing unbelievable reasons such as you are unfit for the role. Instead of welcoming the rejection, you question your employer whether the denial was due to your gender or any other form of discrimination. As a result, you get fired for making such claims. If something similar has happened with you, then understand you have been wrongfully terminated. After all, you cannot be terminated for seeking promotion or suggesting a reason for the denial of promotion.
Termination Based on Race
Termination based on race is considered racial discrimination, and it is illegal. But how to know if you were wrongfully terminated because of your race. Here is an example to help you understand.
Consider you are working in a company. You love your job, and you are also treated reasonably well by your employer. However, your employer leaves and someone new takes charge. Sooner, you may experience racism in the office and you will be one of the targets there. You will get to hear taunts, and eventually, you raise the issue with the employers. However, the employer declines your viewpoint and says that you are taking things the wrong way. As a result, your performance gets affected. Finally, your employer uses this as an excuse to fire you from the job you loved so much.
Termination Based on Age
"Maybe, you should consider retirement," or "you have grown too old for this” are the everyday taunts people use to target employees for their age. You don't get treated well and are constantly subjected to ageist jokes. Understand that this is illegal, and if you are fired because of it, you have been wrongly terminated.
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