It can be truly discouraging and devastating to be fired from your job for reporting sexual harassment or other forms of inappropriate conduct in the workplace. An experienced Glendale workplace termination lawyer can advise you on your rights and help you fight wrongful termination, as well as pursue financial damages for lost wages and benefits, emotional distress, and other losses.
At Sexual Harassment Law Firm CA, we have extensive experience in representing clients who are victims of sexual harassment and have been fired from their jobs. Our Glendale team of employment law professionals and compassionate legal advocates has the experience and skill needed to guide you through the internal reporting procedures, any agency investigations, and civil litigation to obtain for you the damages you are entitled to.
Cases that proceed to court might be handled through the Los Angeles County Superior Court at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, which handles employment-related civil matters for local residents.
Employers can fire workers in different ways. They can immediately fire workers or constructively terminate workers by creating intolerable working conditions that force workers to quit. California employers cannot legally terminate workers in retaliation for sexual harassment reports, participating in investigations, or exercising workplace rights.
California laws provide sexual harassment victims with many employment rights and legal remedies. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against employees based on their sex, gender, or in retaliation for reporting sexual harassment or gender discrimination. Employers have an obligation to keep the workplace safe, and they cannot legally retaliate against workers.
California workers can bring a wrongful termination in violation of public policy claim if they are fired, demoted, or forced to quit in retaliation for engaging in a legally protected activity like reporting sexual harassment in the workplace. When California employers illegally fire workers for a legitimate reason, such as poor job performance, courts can investigate whether the employee was terminated because of retaliation.
In fiscal year 2024, the EEOC resolved 16 systemic cases and obtained $23.9 million for 4,074 discrimination victims, providing relief for these victims. Wrongful termination can sometimes be subtle, making it difficult to recognize. However, you may suspect wrongful termination if you notice some of the following signs:
These actions are increasingly suspicious if they occur right after reporting sexual harassment and have never happened prior. Other indicators may include demotion, reduction in hours or pay, or being forced to resign due to a hostile work environment.
Employers often have an excuse for a wrongful termination. They will claim that you were terminated for poor performance, violating a company policy, or for the restructuring of the company. In some cases, these excuses are valid; however, in other cases, these are all excuses for workplace retaliation. A knowledgeable Glendale workplace termination attorney can review the details of your circumstances, determine the real reason you were fired, and whether you have a valid case.
There are several options available to victims of sexual harassment-related wrongful termination. These could consist of:
A knowledgeable workplace termination attorney in Glendale can create a plan to seek maximum damages and ensure victims receive justice.
If you have been terminated from your job for reporting sexual harassment, you should hire a workplace termination lawyer. A skilled lawyer can assess your situation, gather evidence, and protect your rights under California law.
They can represent you in filing a complaint with your employer, filing a claim with an agency, or pursuing a civil claim. Your lawyer can advocate for you to receive compensation for emotional distress, lost wages, and other damages. They can also hold your employer accountable for their actions. With the right representation, you can pursue justice with confidence.
Filing a claim may be worth it, especially if you have suffered from lost wages or benefits or experienced emotional distress after being fired from your job under unfair circumstances. Claims may also allow you to hold your employer liable for their conduct and prevent them from treating other employees in a similar manner in the future.
To file a claim for wrongful termination, begin by documenting all events, communications, and adverse actions that led up to your termination. File a complaint with the CRD or the appropriate agency. An experienced Glendale workplace termination lawyer can ensure your case is properly prepared, your claims are filed within the statute of limitations, and you have professional representation during negotiations or court proceedings.
Employment attorneys frequently work on a contingency basis and receive a percentage of your settlement, and so you pay them only if you win. Other attorneys may work on an hourly rate or charge a flat fee for consultation or initial filing. Costs can vary widely based on the complexity of your case, the experience of your attorney, and the nature of the legal action. A consultation with an attorney can help you understand the costs and payment arrangements.
Labor lawyers usually represent the unions and employee organizations in collective bargaining, and when representing employees, in union organizing, strikes, and other labor disputes.
Employment lawyers, on the other hand, represent individual employees. The issues they handle are more focused on wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and the rights of employees in the workplace. Employment lawyers pursue the personal legal claim of an individual, such as a sexual harassment or retaliation victim.
If you were wrongfully terminated for reporting sexual harassment, you may be entitled to restitution. Contact Sexual Harassment Law Firm CA to begin holding your employer accountable.