Just because you lose your job doesn’t mean your employer has violated your legal rights. However, there’s always a chance this could be the case, so it never hurts to dig deeper.
Wrongful termination comes in many different forms. For example, maybe your employer terminated your employment because you filed a sexual harassment complaint. Or maybe this was the result of blowing the whistle on some type of wrongdoing.
Here are some key steps to take if your employment is terminated:
- Read your employment contract: You’ll find a lot of quality information here, including the termination process. Pay close attention to the details of the contract that pertain to your particular situation. Highlight any areas of concern.
- Learn more about severance pay: You’re likely to find this alongside your employment contract. If you’re owed severance, do whatever you can do receive the compensation as outlined by your agreement. Your employer may attempt to withhold this pay based on the reason for your termination, but that doesn’t mean you should go along with them.
- Gather information: For example, if you feel that you were wrongfully terminated, gather information and evidence to back up your claim. This could be anything from an email from your direct supervisor to a conversation you had with a co-worker. Anything that backs up your claim is something you should keep nearby.
- Talk to HR: You have the right to learn more about your termination, and the best place to turn is the HR department. Ask them for more information, as well as access to your personnel file. This one step has the potential to turn up information that you weren’t previously aware of.
There aren’t many things more frustrating than learning that your employment has been terminated. While there’s a lot to think about at this time, stay calm and focus on the cause of your termination and the steps you can take moving forward.
Not only do you want to seek out your next opportunity, but you should take steps to protect your legal rights as they pertain to your termination. The more you learn, the more you may realize that you’re a victim of wrongful termination.
