Losing a job can be a shocking and stressful event in your life. This is especially the case when you feel like it wasn’t fair and you were wrongfully terminated. Sometimes, it’s obvious when a job loss isn’t fair. If you were fired because of your age, gender, race, religion, or for speaking out against something that happened at work, these might be signs of wrongful termination.
If any of these things happen to you, you can usually get a settlement or get your job back. However, it takes some action on your part. In this article, we will go over several steps to take when you feel like you have been wrongfully terminated.
Essential Steps To Take Against Wrongful Termination
There are some of the crucial steps you need to take against a wrongful termination. You must be well aware of it if you face such situations in your career. Some of the key steps you can take on an immediate basis are as follows:-
1 – Get Legal Help
If you think you were fired from your job for unfair reasons, it might be time to talk to an employment lawyer like the team at hkm.com. This is especially true if you were let go for reasons that feel wrong, like discrimination or because you complained about something illegal at work. Lawyers who specialize in employment issues can give you advice on whether you have a good reason to take action and what steps to take next.
When you find a lawyer, you can usually talk to them for a short time for free. This is called an initial consultation. During this meeting, you can tell the lawyer about your situation, and they can tell you if they think you have a case.
The lawyer will ask questions to understand your situation better. They might ask about your job, how and why you were let go, and if you have any evidence, like emails or messages, that show why you were fired.
2 – Collect Evidence
Right after you lose your job, it’s important to gather evidence. This step will help your lawyer understand what happened and for any actions you might take later. Start by collecting all the documents and communications related to your work.
Look for your employment contract, emails or messages between you and your employer, and any reviews of your work performance. If your performance were all positive and you were fired this will raise some suspicion that the termination wasn’t fair.
These items are key pieces of evidence. They can show what you and your employer agreed to, how you were doing at your job, and any discussions that relate to your termination.
3 – Dispute Resolution Options
After you’ve gathered evidence about your termination, you might consider resolving the issue through dispute resolution options. Many companies have procedures for handling employee complaints which could include appealing a termination.
If resolving the issue internally doesn’t work, you can look into options that don’t involve your company like mediation or arbitration. These options involve a neutral third party who helps both you and your employer come to an agreement. Mediation is more about finding a mutual solution, while arbitration involves the third party making a decision after hearing both sides.
Way Outs To Fight Against Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination can lead to serious problems for your career in the long run. So, you must take some essential steps that can boost the chances of your brand value to a great level. You can follow these additional steps to make decisions in your favour.
1. Review Your Employment Contract & Company Policies
First, you need to familiarize yourself with the employment contract to meet your organizational goals with ease. The employee handbook with employee management policies will help you understand your rights as well as obligations.
You need to be well aware of the situations that can boost the chances of your brand value within an estimated time frame. Try to keep things in proper shape while you want to fight for your rights against the organization.
2. Document Everything
Try to keep detailed records of everything for any kind of incident that is directly subject to termination. It can be the performance reviews and complete interactions with the supervisors and HRs. Try to ensure that you follow the correct process from your end so that your stand becomes strong against the policies of your company.
Proper documentation can help you present the correct evidence in front of the judge. This will boost the chances of winning the case with complete ease.
3.. File A Complaint With HR
If you believe your termination was wrongful, consider filing a complaint with your company’s HR department. Be sure to provide any evidence or documentation to support your claim. Your documentation must be well-aligned with data and proofs.
Keep things in proper order while you want to reach your goals with complete ease. Ensure that you maintain the perfect process that can make things in favor of the concerned party. Without knowing the facts, you cannot meet your requirements with ease.
4. File A Charge With EEOC Or State Agency
If you believe your termination was based on discrimination or retaliation. You may file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the relevant state agency.
You need to be well aware of the situations that can assist you in getting things done in perfect order. Once you follow the right process, it can become easier for you to get justice in your favor.
5. Consider Mediation & Arbitration
Some employment contracts require disputes to be resolved through mediation or arbitration. If this is the case, consider pursuing these options to resolve the matter outside of court. You need to identify the best process that can help you in the process of negotiation.
Mediation and arbitration can be the options for negotiation to get your job back on time. You must consider this factor on your end.
Final Take Away
Hence, if you want to take advantage of the above situations, then you must follow the above-mentioned steps to keep things in proper place. Try to keep things in perfect order within an estimated time frame.
It’s important to act promptly and seek legal advice early in the process to protect your rights and maximize your chances of a successful outcome.
Continue Reading: