Wrongful Termination

While it is true that California is an “at will” employment State, meaning an employer can let you go for any lawful reason, or no reason at all, there are many, many important exceptions to the so-called “at will” rule. Indeed, some might say that the exceptions swallow the rule. That is where the concept of “wrongful termination” enters the picture.

For example, an exception to the at will rule is that your employer can’t fire you for an illegal reason. There are both federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination against people because of their race, gender and other things they can’t change. Religious beliefs, nation of origin, race and in some places sexual orientation, as in California, are protected characteristics in this category.