Losing a job is traumatic, leaving you with tremendous uncertainty. How will you pay your bills? How quickly can you find a new work situation?
When you lose your job wrongfully, you feel the pain of insult along with the injury. But you are not without recourse. If you are wrongfully terminated from your job, reach out to an Oklahoma City employment lawyer from BDIW.
An Oklahoma City wrongful termination lawyer from our team will hold your employment accountable for the injustice and damages their unfair and unlawful decision has caused you.
Oklahoma City Follows the “At-Will” Doctrine
In Oklahoma City and all parts of the state of Oklahoma, employees and employers follow the “at-will” doctrine. This means employees work, and businesses employ workers at will–by choice. At any time, either party can end the employment relationship. That said, there are limits to the expression of “at-will” when it comes to employee terminations.
Employers cannot fire employees as an act of retaliation or discrimination for adhering to public policy mandates or breaching their contractual agreement with employees.
Retaliation Explained
Federal law makes it illegal for employers to fire employees for participating in legally protected activities or demanding their employee rights be upheld. For example, an employee may:
- Seek deserved overtime pay
- File a workers’ compensation claim
- Report their employer for an Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) violations
- File a sexual harassment claim with the human resources (HR) department
- Refuse to work in an unsafe environment
An employer cannot fire the employee taking these or other legally protected actions in order to silence or “get back at” them.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYDiscrimination Explained
Federal and state laws protect workers from being fired for discriminatory reasons, including:
- Skin color
- Sex
- Religion
- Race or ethnicity
- Disability
- Pregnancy
- Age (40 or older)
- Genetic information
Workers fired because of their status in these and other protected classes have been wrongfully terminated and should seek experienced representation from a wrongful termination attorney in Oklahoma City.
Public Policy Explained
Employers cannot fire employees who uphold an established public policy of the state. This means workers cannot be terminated for refusing to commit an unlawful act, such as perjury or tax evasion. In addition, they cannot be fired for performing actions that are in the best interest of the public, such as fulfilling jury duty.
Breach of Contract Explained
Employers must uphold the specifics of the contract they have with the employee. Employees must understand the terms of their contract and the reasons it establishes for termination. Some jobs do not come with a contract but with a handbook that documents justifications for terminating employees and the process for grieving a termination.
How to Fight Back Against a Wrongful Termination
If you have been wrongfully terminated from your job, partner with a wrongful termination attorney in Oklahoma City as soon as possible. The statute of limitations for filing your claim varies depending on which policy your employer violated, and some deadlines are less than one year, making it critical for you to secure legal representation immediately.
Residents of Oklahoma have 300 days to file with the EEOC and 180 days to file with the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission (OHRC). An attorney will ensure your complaint is drafted accurately on time and filed correctly.
Gather Evidence
Your attorney will review your case and guide you through the evidence-gathering process. This guidance will help you avoid any missteps, such as violating confidentiality issues or employment agreements. If you sense that your wrongful termination is imminent while you are still employed, gather as much evidence as you can before access to your emails, other documentation, or your workplace overall is denied.
Navigate State and Federal Laws
Employment laws are intricate and vary according to your location. An Oklahoma City wrongful termination attorney will determine which laws apply to your case. Your attorney will also parse your contract to find potential breaches.
Communicate with Your Employer
Your employer will probably have their own legal representation, and you do not want to face off in an unfair fight. An experienced Oklahoma City wrongful termination attorney can stand up to your employer’s representation and speak on your behalf.
With a skilled wrongful termination lawyer in Oklahoma City speaking on your behalf, you avoid saying the “wrong thing” and having your words used against you. You also avoid risking intimidation, as your employer will probably try to scare you into dropping your claim. The team at BDIW will not be taken in by or back down to this fear-mongering.
Compensation for a Wrongful Termination
A successful outcome demands accountability from your employer and provides you with a settlement for your losses.
In some cases, employers face criminal charges for their unlawful actions. The consequences can include fines or other penalties depending on the extent of their crime. Seeing your employer pay for their discriminatory and abusive behavior lets you experience a measure of justice.
These criminal charges do not compensate you for your financial losses, but a settlement can. As part of your settlement agreement, you may:
- Be reinstated to your job
- Receive compensation for lost wages and benefits
- Recoup any other expense incurred by your wrongful termination
An Oklahoma City wrongful termination lawyer will work to get you the highest settlement possible.
We Fight for Employees’ Rights
When you put in an honest day’s work, you deserve an honest day’s pay–and fair treatment from your employer. If you have been wrongfully terminated from your job, BDIW is ready to fight for you. Contact us today to arrange a free consultation.
A knowledgeable, confident Oklahoma City lawyer from our team will listen to you, work with you, and fight with you to hold your employer accountable. Our goal is to hold your employer accountable under the law and get you the justice and compensation you deserve. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get to work.
