When it comes to employment law, Virginia is an “at-will” state, meaning that employers can legally fire employees at any time, for any reason, and without cause. This also means employees have the right to quit at any time, and neither the employer nor the employee is required to give any notice. With that being said, there are some exceptions to the “at-will” rule, and employers must still abide by federal laws prohibiting the wrongful termination of employees.
Wrongful termination is one of the most common claims brought by employees against their employers. If you believe you may have been unjustly fired from your job in Alexandria or anywhere else in Virginia, get in contact with our Alexandria wrongful termination attorneys at Spiggle Law Firm as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, benefits, and other damages.
A wrongful termination claim is a type of employment law claim that an employee can bring against their employer when they have been fired or otherwise terminated, allegedly in violation of their rights under federal and state laws. If you or a loved one were wrongfully terminated, you may be feeling overwhelmed about what steps to take next to protect your rights.
Virginia may be an “at-will” state in regard to employment, but that does not mean that employees do not have legal rights when it comes to their job security. In Virginia, there are some exceptions to the “at-will” rule, and anyone who is fired for any of the following reasons could be held legally accountable for their actions:
It is against federal law for an employer to terminate an employee for a discriminatory reason. Terminating an employee for any reason related to a protected characteristic is grounds for a wrongful termination suit. Protected characteristics include:
If you think you were fired for one of the above characteristics, make sure you reach out to a skilled Alexandria wrongful termination lawyer to help fight your wrongful termination.
Any employee who has signed a legally binding contract promising their job security is no longer considered an “at-will” employee. Virginia employers must adhere to all contract guidelines. Should an employer fail to honor a contract and fire an employee without good cause, they may be held responsible for wrongful termination.
Employees are permitted to take sick, personal, or family leave. Any employer that refuses to allow an employee to take this leave or does not permit them to return to work after taking leave could be pursued for compensatory damages for their actions.
Employees cannot be asked to commit a crime by their employer. If a worker is terminated from their job for refusing to commit an illegal act upon the request of their employer, they have been wrongfully terminated.
Some employees who are fired for reporting violations of federal, state, or local law may be entitled to recovery. If you are an employee and you believe that you have been wrongfully terminated for whistleblowing, we can help you pursue legal recourse.
You have the right to work for a company that complies with the law, and your employer has to follow certain rules when terminating your employment. If you believe you may have been wrongfully terminated from your job in Alexandria, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the following:
Wrongful termination is a serious matter that can result in damage to your career and reputation. If you are considering filing a wrongful termination lawsuit, talk to a skilled Alexandria wrongful termination attorney. The law can be complex, and it is important to understand your rights before taking action.
Our team at Spiggle Law Firm is dedicated to giving Virginia workers the legal representation they need to recover the losses they have endured due to wrongful termination. We have extensive experience handling wrongful termination lawsuits and we can help you explore all of your legal options in Alexandria.
If you have been wrongfully terminated in Alexandria and are contemplating taking legal action, a Spiggle Law Firm Alexandria wrongful termination lawyer can help. Contact our team today to discuss your situation by calling (202) 449-8527, or you may reach out to us online via our contact form.
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