Oregon Wrongful Termination
Under state and federal antidiscrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it is against the law for employers in Oregon to fire or otherwise discriminate against an employee because of his membership in a protected class, or in retaliation for the employee exercising his rights. If you live in Oregon, and you believe you have been the victim of wrongful termination, contact a reputable Oregon employment law attorney today to discuss your legal options. You may have grounds to file a wrongful termination lawsuit against your employer, in order to get your job back, and to recover compensation for lost wages, compensatory or punitive damages, and other losses.
At-Will Employment in Oregon
Oregon, like most states, is an “at-will employment” state, which means employers in Oregon have the right to discipline or fire employees at any time and for any reason, or for no reason at all. However, there are exceptions to Oregon’s at-will employment doctrine that protect employees from being fired for reasons that are considered unlawful or illegal. An employee’s termination may be considered wrongful if the reason for the employer’s negative action violates an employment contract, is contrary to public policy, or is considered unlawful under state, federal or local law.
Types of Wrongful Termination
Most unlawful reasons for termination fall into one of three categories: discrimination against an employee who is a member of a protected class, discrimination in violation of an employment contract, and discrimination based on protected activities, such as filing a workers’ compensation claim, taking protected leave, serving on a jury, or reporting illegal activity on the part of the employer. Employees who believe they have been fired for reasons that violate state or federal law may have grounds to file a wrongful termination claim against their employer, in which case hiring an experienced Oregon employment law attorney to represent their interests is their best course of action. The three main categories of wrongful termination include:
- Discrimination against an employee who is a member of a protected class. Being that wrongful termination is a form of employment discrimination, employees who believe they have been fired for unlawful reasons have certain protections under state and federal antidiscrimination laws. These laws prohibit employers from firing an employee on the basis of a protected characteristic, such as: color, race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, age or national origin.
- Discrimination in violation of an employment contract. In the state of Oregon, employers are prohibited from firing an employee when the termination results in the breach of a contractual agreement, such as a written, oral or implied employment contract. If you have an employment contract that promises you job security, you may not be considered an “at-will” employee, and your employer may not be able to fire you without good cause.
- Discrimination based on protected activities. Under state and federal wrongful termination laws, employers in Oregon are prohibited from firing an employee for exercising his rights, or taking part in protected activities, such as filing a workers’ compensation claim, or taking time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to fulfill certain personal responsibilities or civic obligations, such as jury duty. This part of the law also protects “whistleblowers,” or employees who report illegal activity on the part of their employer.
Contact an Oregon Wrongful Termination Lawyer Today
Wrongful termination laws in Oregon are always changing, and it can be difficult to stay informed about your rights as an employee, especially without an extensive understanding of state and federal employment law. The one fact that never changes though, is that wrongful termination laws in Oregon prohibit employers from firing employees for discriminatory reasons that violate their rights. If you have been fired from your job in Oregon, and you believe your employer’s decision was discriminatory or unlawful, contact an experienced employment law attorney today for legal help. You may be entitled to reinstatement to your previous job position, as well as financial compensation for compensatory and punitive damages, and a knowledgeable wrongful termination lawyer can help you protect your rights and pursue your claim in court.
