Minneapolis Wrongful Termination Attorney

Minnesota is an at-will employment state, which means that in most cases your employer can fire you at any time for any reason, for a bad reason, or for no reason at all.

There are some exceptions to employment at-will, as set forth below:

Contract. If you and your employer signed an employment contract, it may contain language that says your employer can only fire you “for cause” (i.e., a good reason).  Additionally, if an employment contract states that your employer will employ you for a certain length of time, your employer may only be able to fire you for cause. Finally, if your employer made an oral or written statement (including pre-employment statements) that tends to restrict its right to terminate your employment at any time for any reason, a court may find that it had a contractual duty to refrain from firing you without a good reason.

Employee Handbooks/Policies. Employee handbooks, manuals, and policies sometimes contain language limiting an employer’s ability to terminate employees. For example, an employee handbook may set forth a discipline procedure the employer must follow prior to termination. Review your employee handbook to determine your rights.

Union Agreements. If you are a union employee, your union may have entered into a collective bargaining agreement with your employer setting forth the circumstances under which your employer can terminate you. Contact your union representative if you are terminated to determine if your employer’s actions violate the agreement. Additionally, it is unlawful for your employer to fire you for participating in any union activity.

Discrimination. State and federal laws bar employers from terminating employees on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, receipt of public assistance, or age.

Retaliation. State and federal laws bar employers from terminating employees in retaliation for exercising family medical leave, bringing a discrimination or harassment claim, participating in a discrimination or harassment investigation, or blowing the whistle on illegal or improper conduct.

Public Policy. Employers cannot terminate employees for reasons that conflict with public policy, such as participating in jury duty or complying with a subpoena.

Contact the Law Office of Joshua R. Williams if you think you have been wrongfully terminated.  If I believe your employer has violated your legal rights I will negotiate compensation or sue your employer and represent you in court, if necessary.

I will take your case on a contingent fee basis, which means you owe me nothing unless I am able to recover money for you.

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