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Can my employer fire me for filing a discrimination claim?

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Can my employer fire me for filing a discrimination claim?

No, it is unlawful for your employer to fire you for filing a discrimination claim. If you are fired after you report discrimination in the workplace, you may have a case against your company for wrongful termination and retaliation.

Retaliation occurs when an employer punishes an employee for participating in a legally protected activity, such as reporting discrimination. The discrimination must be related to your “protected class”—for example, your race, national origin, color, age, sex, sexual orientation or identity, religion, family status, military status, medical condition, disability or pregnancy.

Retaliation is not illegal, however, when the employee complains of something not protected by the law. For example, if you complain that your boss micromanages you and you are fired, the law will not help you because micromanaging is not illegal. You might argue that your boss is micromanaging you because of your protected class, but your case will be difficult to prove without some evidence of this discrimination.

It is not likely that your employer will admit to firing you because of your discrimination claim. However, if the employer gives no reason for firing you, or gives a reason that appears false, then it could lead to the conclusion that the real reason for firing you was that you complained of discrimination. For example, if you are “laid off,” but no one else was terminated, or your job is re-posted, then the employer’s story may be a false pretext. Or if you were let go for “performance issues” that are minor, false, or if you have a long track record of successful performance, or the employer did not follow “progressive discipline” (i.e., warning, write-up, performance improvement plan, before termination) then that could also be a pretext.

If you suspect you have been fired in retaliation for filing a discrimination claim, discuss your situation with a knowledgeable San Francisco employment lawyer. McCormack Law Firm can answer your questions and help you determine if you have a case against your employer.

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I can honestly say that my experience with Bryan was all the way positive from day one… We had very high expectations about our case and in the end we got what we hoped for. – Roger J.

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This law firm was the only one to answer the phone out of the 15-20 law firms that I called that day. I had a wrongful termination case and Bryan really took the time to listen and understand what happened in my situation, and he knows the law to a T. – Shanic M.

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I was owed wages and overtime and my employer refused to pay me. So I hired them to file a lawsuit. Bryan easily understood my very complicated case and I am happy with the results. – Ebi Z.

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I didn’t have to pay anything, the firm took the whole risk of managing the case. Through the 14 months, Bryan always kept me updated, was very responsive and patient to questions I had. We achieved a resolution out of court in my favor, making me even happier about the experience. – Peter S.

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I won my trial and I got more than I expected. Everyone in the office is so nice and helpful. Even after everything was finished I could call a few weeks after and ask questions to make sure I was protected and they are more than helpful. – Husain N.

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I never had to pay Bryan anything up front, nor was ever pressured to settle early. We ended up settling morning of the trial. Bryan is a really sharp, aggressive, seasoned attorney and knew the law inside and out about whistleblower cases. – Kyle B.

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