Wrongful termination can sometimes be a difficult concept to grasp in a state like California, where employers can fire their employees for any reason and at any time as long as the termination is not unlawful. This is why it is important to know the exceptions to the rule and understand when termination is unlawful.
One common form of wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired in retaliation for exercising their rights, such as speaking out against discrimination or whistle blowing. Oftentimes, employees who are sexually harassed or discriminated against by their superiors are fired in retaliation for filing a complaint. Remember that this is illegal, and you could take legal action. For more information on wrongful termination in California, click here.
One unusual concern that someone might have is if they are fired from a job before they even begin. This is not unlawful termination, since California is an at-will employment state, but in certain circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation. If you had reasonable cause to rely on the job from which you were fired (for example, if you already quit your previous job or you had moved to be closer to your new job), then your employer could be liable for the time and money you invested in preparing to perform a job which you were unable to perform.
If you believe you have been unlawfully fired in California, consider meeting with an attorney to discuss the aspects of your case. It can sometimes be difficult to determine if your termination was unlawful, but in some cases it is not difficult at all. A successful claim could help you get your job back or even be compensated to keep you afloat while you look for a new job.