Glossary > Employment Law > Employment Discrimination > General

Wrongful Termination

Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired for illegal reasons, such as discrimination, retaliation, or in violation of employment laws.

Example #1

For instance, if an employee is fired because of their race, gender, disability, or in retaliation for reporting misconduct in the workplace, it could be considered wrongful termination.

Example #2

Another example is when an employee is terminated after requesting a reasonable accommodation for a disability, which is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Misuse

An example of misuse of wrongful termination is when an employer fires an employee for whistleblowing on unsafe working conditions or illegal activities within the company. It is crucial to protect against wrongful termination to ensure that employees feel safe to report wrongdoing without fear of losing their job.

Benefits

Protecting employees from wrongful termination ensures a fair and just working environment where individuals can exercise their rights without the threat of losing their livelihood. It promotes transparency and accountability within organizations.

Conclusion

Wrongful termination undermines the principles of fairness and equality in the workplace. It is essential to combat such practices to uphold the rights of employees and maintain a marketplace where ethical standards prevail.