There are federal employment statutes that apply across the nation, but many states enact their own regulations as well. California has a reputation for leading the way regarding the protection of employee rights.
However, there are also laws that balance the protections extended to employees with the needs of businesses. For example, at-will employment laws theoretically protect both parties in an employment arrangement. The professional has the right to quit without providing advance notice, while the company has the right to terminate their employment without notice or justification.
Do the at-will employment laws in California prevent workers terminated for unfair reasons from pursuing wrongful termination lawsuits?
Workers can still take legal action
At-will employment laws do not automatically justify terminations for any reason. Employers are still subject to the laws that prohibit discrimination and workplace retaliation. Provided that a professional can show that they lost their job because they engaged in protected activities or due to their protected characteristics, they may still have grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit.
At-will employment laws may make it more challenging for those who suddenly lose their jobs to hold their employers accountable. After all, a company does not necessarily need to provide any explanation for the worker’s termination. Prior interactions with a company and other decisions that the business made, such as the termination of other workers in a layoff scenario, could help support allegations of an inappropriate termination.
Professionals who believe that their employers have violated their rights may have grounds to take legal action. Consulting with an attorney can help workers determine whether their job loss constitutes a wrongful termination.