How do you handle losing a job when you believe you don’t deserve it? According to a study from the Center for American Progress, approximately one in five workers in the US have experienced wrongful termination at some point in their careers.
Losing a job is unfair, especially when it happened too abruptly or unexplained. Employers have the right to let go of their employees legitimately, but not for illegal reasons.
Know that there should be specific evidence to prove wrongful termination, says workplace termination lawyer Ron Makarem. And here is where a professional can help your case.
But how can you determine if you are experiencing wrongful termination? Let’s look at those signs below!
Lack of Valid Reason for Termination
Sudden termination without a clear reason can be a signal that the employer has violated the law. Employers who have to let their employees go must at least provide the reasons for the action, especially if the employee is consistent in his performance.
It is normal to feel puzzled and cut off from others if the employer does not tell you anything. At some point, you may, indeed, begin to question the value that you add and your very presence in that workplace.
A sudden termination without valid grounds can be a telltale sign of something more. Your experience counts, and you are entitled to truthfulness. It is wise to consider very carefully the circumstances and gather evidence of your performance.
Don’t feel discouraged. There are trusted co-workers or even professional counselors who can offer support for the actions you need to pursue.
Retaliation for Reporting Misconduct
If you reported a wrongdoing and then experienced a demotion or dismissal from your position, this reaction may be considered retaliation, which is illegal. You ought to be allowed a workplace wherein one can air grievances without fear of being retaliated against.
Other occasions would be an increase in work pressure, bad relations among colleagues, or exclusion from meetings that really matter. All you have to do is trust your gut feeling.
There’s something worth noting: keep a diary; consider having the situation looked at by an HR professional or lawyer. Stand up for yourself. Don’t let your mental health be compromised in this enabling environment.
Discrimination Based on Protected Characteristics
Discrimination manifests in many ways. These could be on grounds of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or disability. For example, it could entail being scrutinized more than anybody else with an identical official job title, or such that the mutated choice presented to you could have been awarded to your fellow workers.
Have you been a victim of disparaging jokes about your identity? Any factor is capable of promoting an unhealthy working environment. A workplace where this kind of vibe is prevalent turns out to be a harmful environment that adversely affects the psychological conditions of the staff. It gets to the point where it is not only a personal issue but also a matter of the others’ condition.
In case your identity made you feel like you were victimized or alienated, then it is high time you did something about it. The workplace should foster equality among employees. It should be a place that puts importance on what you do and not who you are.
Violation of Employment Contract or Company Policy
While it is natural to assume that every termination involves some violation of an employment contract or company policy, wrongful termination happens when an employee is either not given proper notice or an acceptable reason in line with the contract.
This situation may challenge the belief that preventive adjustments are being interpreted as employee rights within company rules, while terminations occur without an initial disciplinary process initiated by the employer. These unethical practices violate your rights and destroy the trust that is the foundation upon which a wholesome work environment could be established.
In every employment situation, conforming to the norms and rules of the concerned workplaces is what is expected. Should you consider the termination unjust according to the rules, then the only remaining alternative for you is to get assistance and look for your options. If you have strong grounds to believe that your firing was illegal and there was a violation in either a company policy or a contract, then it will be worth your while to research how to deal with being fired unfairly so that you will be able to uncover your legal rights and then move accordingly.
Inconsistent Treatment Compared to Colleagues
If you notice your colleagues being treated differently in similar situations, this is a red flag regarding your dismissal. If some are granted leeway for mistakes others would have been penalized for, or if such are promoted whilst you stand on similar grounds, you need to take heed.
Such inconsistency casts a panorama of unfair practices or biases within your workplace. You might also find alleged favoritism being exercised among certain employees, which denies you an assignment, though you possess the same skills and qualifications.
Dispersion of such kind points toward discrimination and wrongful termination, isolating you. Remember, you deserve a fair work environment where all are treated equally, and once you recognize these patterns, you move on to learn of your rights.