Although Indiana is considered an “at-will” employment state, which means both employers and employees can terminate relationships at any time, employees have rights when it comes to keeping their jobs. In fact, employers must be careful when terminating workers to avoid infringing on those rights and committing wrongful termination.
Wrongful termination refers to firing employees in violation of state law or an active employment contract. However, because employers know Indiana employment is “at-will,” they may fire workers without considering the consequences. At Stewart & Stewart, we know all aspects of Indiana employment law, and we protect the rights of workers who were terminated in manners that violated contracts or state law.
No what matter circumstances led to your job loss, it’s important to remember that you have the following rights:
- The right to be protected from retaliation – Whether you filed for workers’ compensation, attended jury duty, or were a whistleblower, state law protects you from retaliation by your employer. If you were fired during or after the events listed above, you may be eligible to file a wrongful termination claim.
- The right to pursue compensation – If you were wrongfully terminated, you have many options for recourse. In addition to getting compensation for your lost wages and back pay, you can also be reinstated to your job and receive additional damages for emotional suffering. Your employer also may be fined and be responsible for personal liability for any losses that you incurred.
Getting fired is a devastating and stressful experience, but sometimes, it happens in violation of the law. If you suspect that you or someone you love was wrongfully terminated, get in touch with our Indiana wrongful termination lawyers today by calling our office for a free consultation.