DC Wrongful Termination Lawyers For Employees
We represent District of Columbia employees that are wrongfully terminated. DC employees are subject to at-will employment laws. In at-will states, employers and employees have the right to end their employment relationship for practically any reason if they so choose. There are some exceptions to these laws in DC. One exception is when a DC employee is wrongfully terminated. Wrongful termination occurs when you are fired for actions that are otherwise protected by DC or federal law.
Defending DC Employees In Wrongful Termination Cases
We represent DC employees in wrongful termination cases. Being terminated from your employment can cause anxiety, family stress and many other issues. This is especially the case if you have been terminated illegally. Our DC employment lawyers defend employees who are facing these issues. Wrongful termination cases may arise if an employee was terminated for the following reasons listed below and others. Keep in mind, the laws in this area are continuing to evolve as time goes by. DC is the type of jurisdiction which tends to expand an employee’s ability to contest wrongful terminations. over time, through the introduction of new laws.
Different Forms of Discrimination
A DC employer cannot terminate an employee due to race, prior EEO activity, nationality, religion, sex, age, disability, EEO retaliation and many other protected grounds. Other potential discrimination claims may exist under the DC Human Rights Act. The DC Human Rights Act if one of the most protective laws in the United States when an employee is facing wrongful termination. Federal civili rights laws through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission are similar to the DC Human Rights Act but generally do not provide the same level of protection. A lawyer can help you evaluate the best venue in which to take a case.
Employee Retaliation in DC
A DC employer generally cannot terminate an employee for filing a claim of sexual harassment or participating in a discrimination investigation; reporting race discrimination or other wrongdoing; organizing a union; filing for workers compensation or taking time off for military service, voting, or reasons under the DC Family Medical Leave Act (DC FMLA). It can be illegal for employers to engage in workplace retaliation for these types of matters. There are many areas of the DC Code which make it illegal to retaliate against employees who take specific actions.
Violation of Public Policy
In DC, wrongful terminations can also occur as a result of a violation of public policy. This is a less specific category. It can involve issues where an employer fires an employee for refusing to engage in illegal behavior. Another situation can arise where an employee reports a safety issue to government authorities and is later terminated for it. These kinds of cases depend on the facts at issue.
Employer Violating Their Own Policies
It is often the case that an employee handbook or policy specifies the procedures that must be followed by an employer before an employee can be terminated. If an employer terminates an employee without following their own procedures, this could give rise to a claim of wrongful termination.
Breach of Contract
If an employee was terminated in violation of an employment contract in DC, it could give rise to another at-will exception. Essentially, this would involve breach of contract allegations. Some employees are hired pursuant to an employment contract and may have other employee rights in addition to those that are generally applicable above.
Contact A DC Wrongful Termination Lawyer
If you are a DC 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.
