Virginia Wrongful Termination Lawyers for Employees
We represent and defend Virginia employees that are wrongfully terminated. Virginia employees are mostly subject to the at-will employment rule. Basically, employers and employees mostly have the right to go their own separate ways for practically any reason if they so choose. This rule usually supports employers when they fire an employee in Virginia. There are some exceptions to this. One exception is when a Virginia employee is subjected to wrongful termination. Wrongful termination occurs when you are fired for actions that are otherwise protected by Virginia law. Wrongful termination is against the law in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Representing Virginia Employees in Wrongful Termination Cases
We represent Virginia employees in wrongful termination cases. Being terminated from one’s employment can be very stressful and difficult, especially if one has been terminated illegally. Our Virginia employment lawyers represent employees who have been wrongfully terminated. Wrongful termination cases may arise if an employee was terminated for the following reasons (among others):
Discrimination/Harassment
A Virginia employer cannot terminate an employee due to race, nationality, religion, sex, age, disability, EEO retaliation and other protected grounds. Other potential discrimination claims may exist depending on the local governing laws.
Retaliation
An employer generally cannot terminate an employee for filing a claim of discrimination or participating in a discrimination investigation; filing a whistleblower complaint; reporting sexual harassment or other wrongdoing; organizing a union; or taking time off for military service, voting, or reasons under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It can be illegal for employers to engage in workplace retaliation for these types of matters. A good resource for whistleblower cases in Virginia is located in the Virginia Fraud and Abuse Whistleblower Act.
Refusal to Commit an Illegal or Unsafe Act
A Virginia employer usually cannot terminate an employee because the employee refuses to commit an act that is deemed to be illegal or unsafe.
Violation of Termination Procedures
Often times an employee handbook or company policy outlines the procedures that must be followed by an employer before an employee can be terminated. If an employer terminates an employee without following the proper termination procedures outlined in the employee handbook or company policy, an employee may have a claim for wrongful termination.
Breach of Contract
If an employee was terminated in violation of an employment contract or explicit promise concerning the duration of his or her employment or the circumstance under which he or she could be terminated. Some employees are hired pursuant to an employment contract and may have other rights in addition to those that are generally applicable.
Various Other Circumstances
Other circumstances exist for wrongful termination. Virginia is frequently updating protective laws for employees so it is likely that additional laws will be enacted in the future.
Contact a Virginia Wrongful Termination Lawyer
If you are a Virginia employee in need of legal advice or representation involving wrongful termination, please call us at (703) 668-0070. We can also be contacted through our website here.
