Ohio is an at-will employment state, which means an employer can fire an employee without cause. However, there are some illegal factors under state and federal law, including the person’s age, race, gender, or disability. Other unlawful conduct is firing a worker for reporting certain types of workplace matters. Regardless of illegality, some Ohio employers do terminate employees for wrongful, discriminatory reasons, leaving the worker in financial dire straits.
If you were recently dismissed and believe that discrimination was involved, you may have a claim for wrongful termination against your employer. However, you should discuss your circumstances with an experienced employment lawyer who can tell you more about your options. In addition, you may find it useful to review some information on how wrongful termination cases work.
Wrongful termination may occur where an employer retaliates against an employee for engaging protected activities, such as:
Ohio and federal law also prevent employers from discriminating against workers on the basis of:
Ohio employees who were terminated based upon discrimination can file a claim with either the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC), or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Determining the best route can be challenging, as choosing the right agency depends on the specific details of the case. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate the filing process and will assist throughout the investigation.
Employers are also barred from firing an employee if the termination is in breach of a written or implied promise, such as:
Though there may be challenges in establish wrongful termination in the absence of a written document, it may not be necessary to show a signed agreement to prove a claim.
The OCRC and EEOC encourage employers and employees to settle wrongful termination disputes through mediation. However, where mediation is ineffective, an aggrieved worker may opt to file a claim in court. If successful in proving the case, he or she may receive such financial damages as:
If you’re a Lancaster, OH resident and have doubts about how your employer handled your recent termination of employment, please contact the experienced employment attorneys at Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC. Our legal team is happy to answer your questions or schedule a consultation to discuss your situation.
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.