Being fired from a job is almost guaranteed to be a negative experience for the employee. If a person is wrongfully terminated, however, the situation elevates from unpleasant to illegal. If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated, an experienced wrongful termination lawyer may be able to help. Feeling slighted because you were fired does not necessarily mean that you were wrongfully terminated. It is essential to understand what qualifies as wrongful termination in Kansas City.
When Is Termination Considered Wrongful in Kansas City?
Both Missouri and Kansas are generally considered to be at-will employment states. This means that employers usually have the right to fire employees without cause or notice. Additionally, employees have the same right to quit their job without cause or notice in most situations. There are cases in which an employee may be hired under a separate employment contract. This contract will determine how long a person may work for the company or under what circumstances the employee may be fired. For a termination to be considered wrongful, the employee must have been fired for an illegal reason, such as one of the following reasons:
- Discrimination: A person may not be fired for any reason having to do with any of the following protected characteristics: race, sex, religion, age, national origin, disabilities, gender, citizenship status, or pregnancy.
- Retaliatory reasons: An employee may not be fired as retaliation for filing a charge of discrimination, participating in a discrimination investigation, or for otherwise opposing discrimination or harassment at work.
- Breach of contract: If you were hired under an employment contract that detailed the duration of your employment or the circumstances for which you may be fired, your termination may be considered wrongful if your employment contract is breached.
- Reporting or refusing to take part in illegal activity: If an employee is fired for reporting an employer’s illegal activity to authorities (whistleblowing) or for refusing to take part in such illegal activity, the termination is wrongful.
- Exercising legally-protected rights: If an employee is fired for exercising rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act or under state workers’ compensation laws, employers may be held responsible for firing an employee unlawfully.
It can be challenging to prove that you were wrongfully terminated, especially if there is little or no physical evidence to support your claim. Fortunately, with the help of an experienced wrongful termination lawyer in Kansas City, you may be able to receive the financial compensation you are owed.
Contact a Kansas City Wrongful Termination Lawyer at Hollis Law Firm
When an employer fires an employee for an unlawful reason, the firing is considered wrongful termination. Whether an employee was fired due to discrimination or whistleblowing, they deserve to be compensated for the losses they have suffered as a result. If you have been wrongfully terminated in Kansas City, a wrongful termination lawyer may be able to help you build a strong claim.
Hollis Law Firm has a team helps clients in Kansas and Missouri seek the justice they are owed. Our experienced wrongful termination lawyer understands that the wrongful termination claims process can be overwhelming and is here to help you navigate this process. We are proud to provide our clients with the trusted legal counsel they deserve. To set up a free consultation, you can fill out our contact form or call (800) 701-3672.
