Idaho Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination is a type of employment discrimination, occurring when an employer fires an employee because of his membership in a protected class, or in retaliation for engaging in a protected activity. If you have been fired from your job in Idaho, and you believe your employer’s decision was in violation of your right to equal treatment in the workplace, consult a knowledgeable Idaho employment law attorney as soon as possible. You may be entitled to financial compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages, which you can pursue by filing a wrongful termination claim against your employer.
“At-Will” Employment in Idaho
Like most states, Idaho is a “work at will” state, which means there is no set length of time for an employment relationship, and the employer has the right to terminate the relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause. There are some important exceptions to this rule, however, and if an employee’s termination violates state or federal antidiscrimination laws, or is in retaliation for an employee exercising his rights, the termination may be considered wrongful. It is also important to note that if there is an employer policy, employment contract or union agreement in place, the employee may not be considered an “at will” employee, and the employment relationship may be subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement.
Protected Categories in Idaho
Under state and federal antidiscrimination laws, it is illegal for an employer in Idaho to fire an employee on the basis of a protected category, or a personal characteristic shared by a group of people that is protected by law. In Idaho, the following categories are considered protected:
- Race
- Sex (including pregnancy and childbirth)
- Color
- National origin
- Religion
- Genetic information
- Age (over 40)
- Veteran status
- Disability (physical or mental)
- Citizenship status
Workplace Retaliation and Protected Activities
There are also laws in place that prohibit employers in Idaho from firing an employee in retaliation for engaging in a protected activity, which, according to the Idaho Commission on Human Rights, means “opposing conduct which a person, in good faith, reasonably believes to be unlawful under the anti-discrimination statutes or participating in Commission proceedings, which are set up for the enforcement of the anti-discrimination statutes.” In other words, an Idaho employer is prohibited from firing an employee for opposing discriminatory practices in the workplace or participating in an investigation of employment discrimination. Other protected activities include filing a workers’ compensation claim, reporting illegal activity on the part of the employer (whistleblowing), refusing to take part in an illegal or wrongful act, filing a complaint for unpaid wages, and taking time off work to fulfill certain personal or civic obligations (for example, jury duty).
Breach of an Employment Contract
If an Idaho employee has a written, oral or implied employment contract that promises job security, he may not be considered an at-will employee, and the employer may not be able to terminate the employment relationship without good cause. If you have an employment contract and your employer fired you without cause, you may have a legal claim for breach of contract.
Contact an Idaho Wrongful Termination Lawyer Today
It is the right of employees in Idaho to be protected equally under the law, free from discrimination or special privileges, and any employee who is fired from employment in Idaho for reasons that violate public policy, an employment contract, or state or federal antidiscrimination laws may have a legal claim for wrongful termination. If you believe your employer’s decision to fire you was wrongful, contact an experienced Idaho wrongful termination attorney today for legal help. You may have grounds to file a wrongful termination claim against your employer, in order to get your job back, or to pursue financial compensation for your losses.
