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Do at-will states have wrongful termination laws?

On Behalf of | Mar 23, 2021 | employee rights |

Pennsylvania is an “at-will” employment state, meaning that your employer can fire you at any time for virtually any reason. They don’t even have to give you prior notice. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule that might lead to a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Have you experienced wrongful termination?

Your employer might have committed wrongful termination if they fired you over your race, gender, religion or another similar factor. On another note, your employer can’t fire you if you refused to break the law on their behalf. For example, if your boss fired you because you refused to drive over the speed limit, you could talk to an employment law attorney.

You could sue for wrongful termination if your employer committed a breach of contract when they fired you. For example, if you signed a contract that guarantees employment for three years, your boss can’t fire you before the contract expires. However, they might have included a clause that allows them to fire you under certain conditions. Make sure you read the contract before you contact an attorney to see if your employer actually broke the law or not.

Finally, your employer can’t fire you because you reported an issue or accused the business of breaking the law. They also can’t fire you if you have to attend jury duty. Otherwise, your employer can fire you whenever they want–and you can also quit your job at any time without worrying about legal repercussions.

What if you suspect that your employer has committed wrongful termination?

Your employer might give you a legal reason for your firing, but you might suspect that they actually fired you illegally. You could always talk to an attorney to see if you have a potential case against your employer.