Losing a job is a disheartening experience. You may be struggling to answer a number of difficult questions, like “Do I have enough savings until I find a new job?” If the circumstances around your firing are in question, you might also be wondering whether you were the victim of wrongful termination.
Like many other people in Rhode Island, you were most likely an at-will employee at your previous job. This means that your boss can fire you at any time for no reason whatsoever. However, this does not mean that he or she can fire you for an illegal reason.
An illegal reason for firing someone would potentially violate his or her constitutional rights, a law or employment contract. For example, your boss cannot retaliate and fire you just because you filed a claim lawsuit against your employer or the business. Employers must properly follow company policies when firing workers, too. Your boss also cannot fire you for things like your:
- Age
- Gender
- Race
- Religion
- Disability
- Sexual orientation
Surviving a wrongful termination is not about just getting over it and finding a new job. Losing a job can disrupt your career path, knocking you years off course and costing you financially. In Rhode Island, taking prompt legal action is usually one of the best options for addressing these damages. Successfully navigating a wrongful termination claim can be daunting though, so you may want to take the time to learn more about the process and the benefits of getting the right help.