Employees in Minnesota and other states should feel comfortable at work, which means not having to worry about being wrongfully terminated. While at-will employment means that an employer can fire an employee for any reason, there are some exclusions to that law. At-will employees also have the option to quit their job for any reason. Understanding what constitutes wrongful termination can help Minnesota workers know what options they have if they are fired illegally.
Understanding wrongful termination
Wrongful termination, also called wrongful dismissal or wrongful discharge, can leave an employee with unexpected financial hardships. When an employer fires someone unlawfully, the employee may struggle with finding a new job. Losing one’s job can be mentally taxing and cause issues in one’s personal life. Employees should be aware of their rights and know the laws to better understand if they were terminated illegally.
An employer may not fire an employee for discriminatory reasons based on age, race, religion, disability, and other protected classes. Employees are not allowed to breach employment contracts or retaliate against an employee or try to make the employee quit through constructive dismissal. Employees are also protected from dismissal related to whistleblowing and are protected from being required to commit illegal acts as part of their job.
Seek legal help if wrongfully terminated
Employees in Minnesota should understand the laws surrounding legal and illegal termination to know their rights when affected by a job loss. When an employee is fired illegally, they may have cause to file a lawsuit against their former employer. An attorney with knowledge of Minnesota’s employment laws can help a victim know his or her rights as a wrongfully terminated worker.