New Jersey employees value their jobs and should not fear that they will be fired for a reason that is not permitted under state or federal law. Many people who are “at-will” employees, or employees without contracts who can be fired whenever their employers wish to, aren’t aware that they can still be wrongfully terminated. However, if you believe you have been wrongfully terminated by your employer, it is important that you know your rights.
There are both federal and state laws that prevent you from being wrongfully terminated by your employer. If you believe that you were fired because of your race, color, religion, nationality, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military service status, gender identity, or other classifications, you are protected under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. Your employer is also obligated to follow the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. These federal laws are enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
It is also important to note that your employer is not permitted to fire you because you reported their illegal or unethical behavior. This is called whistleblower retaliation, which is prohibited under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act. If this is your situation, you must file a claim within one year of the date in which you were wrongfully terminated.
You should speak to an experienced attorney who can assess your situation and determine if you have a valid wrongful termination case. Bringing a case against an employer can be difficult, so it is important to try and collect evidence of discrimination or whistleblower retaliation if possible. Contact our firm today if you need strong legal representation for a wrongful termination matter.
