Can My Employer Fire Me Without Reason?
Posted August 22nd, 2024.
Categories: Blog.
Getting fired can be stressful and disheartening, especially when you aren’t really sure why. Unfortunately for employees, your employer can generally fire you without giving a reason. If your employment rights have been violated speak to a Cherry Hill employment law attorney to set up your free consultation today.
What Types of Employment Exist?
Whether or not your boss can fire you without reason depends on the nature of the employer-employee relationship. There are two main types of employment, at-will and under contract.
At-will employment means that an employer can terminate an employee at any time and for any legal reason or no reason at all. At the same time, employers can quit their jobs at any time and for any reason or no reason at all. Employment is for an indefinite amount of time.
When an employee is under contract, however, the employer cannot fire them whenever they please. Only a few positions use employment contracts, but for those that do, neither the employer nor the employee can terminate employment abruptly. Without reasonable cause, neither party can end the relationship. The contract will generally include details like the start and end dates of the employee. Unless there is a valid reason for termination, the employee is expected to remain at the job until the end date arrives.
Can My Boss Fire Me With No Reason?
After learning the two main types of employment, the answer to this question depends on the relationship between the employee and employer. If you have a contract then no, your boss cannot fire you without a reason. However, if you are an at-will employee then yes, your boss can fire you without a reason.
What is Wrongful Termination?
Sometimes when employees are fired the employer will not provide a reason or claim it is something that it is really not. If this is the case then the employee may have been wrongfully terminated. Wrongful termination is the unlawful dismissal of an employee. It happens when an employer terminates an employee for a reason that violates a state or federal law.
Some examples of wrongful termination include the following:
- Firing a woman because she announces that she is pregnant.
- Firing someone for reporting that their superior made unwanted sexual advances.
- Firing a person because they are turning 60 and the employer wants to replace them with someone young.
- Firing someone for blowing the whistle on unlawful business practices.
- Firing someone before their contractually obligated employment period is over.
- Firing a person because the employer asked them to commit perjury to protect the company and they refused.
Terminating an employee for any discrimination, retaliation, or breach of contract is illegal and considered wrongful termination. If an employer wants to fire a worker for any of the above reasons they may offer no reason at all instead.
Contact an Employment Lawyer Today
Maintaining employment is vital for most people to ensure they can pay their bills and feed their families. If you believe you were wrongfully terminated it is important to protect your employment rights by reaching out to an experienced employment lawyer. Contact an attorney today to set up a consultation.
