Wrongful termination refers to a situation in which an employee is terminated from his or her job in violation of employment law. If you find yourself in this situation, it can be difficult to know what to do next. The only four steps that you might take include the following.
Speak with your employer
It is possible that there was a misunderstanding or that your employer has a valid reason for terminating your employment. If you are able to resolve the issue, then you may not need to take any further action. You may also want to review your employment contract to see if there are any clauses that allow for your employer to terminate your employment.
File a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
The EEOC is a federal agency that investigates employment discrimination. If you believe that you have been wrongfully terminated due to discrimination, then you can file a complaint with the EEOC. This organization may then investigate your claim and determine whether or not there is enough evidence to take action. If they find that there is discrimination, they may file a lawsuit on your behalf.
File a private lawsuit
If you believe that you have been wrongfully terminated, you can also file a private lawsuit against your employer. This option may be more expensive and time-consuming than filing a complaint with the EEOC, but it does give you the opportunity to seek damages from your employer.
Seek a severance package
A severance package refers to a financial agreement between you and your employer. If you are terminated from your job, you may be able to negotiate a severance package with your employer per employment law requirements. This can be a good option if you do not want to take legal action against your employer or if you want to receive some financial compensation for losing your job.
If you have been wrongfully terminated from your job, it is important to take action. Before taking any of these steps, you may want to take your time to research your options and figure out what is best for you.