Columbus Wrongful Termination Attorney

Most employees work hard and take their job very seriously. When they are fired, it can be extremely upsetting, but being terminated for an unlawful reason can be even more frustrating. Sometimes, employees do not understand that their termination was unlawful, or that they may be able to take legal action. A Columbus wrongful termination attorney will have a thorough knowledge of the state and federal laws surrounding unlawful terminations and can help protect employees’ rights. 

What is a Wrongful Termination? 

Ohio is an at-will employment state, which means that usually employers can fire employees with or without cause, and with or without notice. While this law does provide employers with a lot of leeway, it does not mean that they are allowed to violate the legal rights of their employees. When a termination violates state and federal employment laws, it may be a wrongful termination. For example, if an employer fired an employee for discriminatory reasons, such as their race, that is a violation of federal and state law. Terminations that violate public policy are also sometimes illegal. 

What to Do and Not to Do After a Wrongful Termination

Being fired for unlawful reasons is extremely upsetting. Employees are often shocked, angry, and do not know what to do. The steps taken soon after the termination are important, as they can greatly affect a potential case. After a wrongful termination, employees should:

• Gather all documents: Documents pertaining to the terms of employment, such as a contract, the employee’s performance evaluations, and the employee handbook, are very important.
• Create a list: Often there is more than one person involved in a wrongful termination. It is important to create a list of witnesses and everyone who the employee  believes was involved in the termination decision
• Contact an attorney: There is no need for an employee to try to sort out complex employment laws on their own. An experienced employment attorney understands these laws and can apply them to determine whether an employee may have a potential wrongful termination claim.case.

When employees are wrongfully terminated, there are also several things they should not do. These include:

• Contacting former employers: Employees should be careful about contacting their former employer or discussing a potential claim with them. An attorney can contact a former supervisor or the Human Resources department, if necessary.
• Destroy evidence: Even when there is evidence that an employee may have been legally terminated, such as a poor performance review, employees should never destroy this material.
• Use social media: Social media is a great place to receive support from friends and family, but the time after a wrongful termination is not the time to do it. Anything said publicly about the firing can be used against the employee if a lawsuit is filed, and there is also the danger of sharing the employer’s confidential information, which can result in other problems and weaken a potential case.. It is best to avoid posting or discussing anything on social media related to employment or a termination.  

Our Ohio Wrongful Termination Lawyers are Here to Help 

If you feel as though you have been wrongfully terminated, our Columbus wrongful termination attorneys at Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC are here to help. Our attorneys have decades of experience representing employees who have been fired unlawfully, and they will put that experience to work for you. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a confidential conference with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.