Being fired from a job is stressful, but it’s especially concerning when the reason for losing one’s position seems unjust. For instance, it can be shocking if you’ve been terminated after cooperating with an investigation into your company.
Luckily, in California, strong employee protections exist to help shield employees from any employment termination that can be perceived as retaliation. If you’ve been fired or laid off for participating in a company investigation, you might have a case for wrongful termination.
What are your rights?
Since the Golden State is an at-will employment state, your employer can fire you without cause. However, if they let you go as a form of retaliation, you can pursue legal action and seek justice against the company. Therefore, if you got fired for accepting an interview with investigations and revealing illegal activities, you can choose to pursue a wrongful termination lawsuit.
How to build your case
You are going to need irrefutable evidence to build a strong wrongful termination case. Luckily, most of the information you’ll need can be easily accessible. For instance, you should save your termination notice, which outlines the reasons why you were let go.
Additionally, note down the subject of the investigation and your role in it. Did you receive a subpoena or were you interviewed voluntarily? It can also help to look for policies regarding whistleblowing or internal investigations in your employee handbook or company intranet.
Finally, if anyone witnessed the conversation where you were terminated or can confirm the nature of the investigation, obtain written statements from them.
Being fired for cooperating with an investigation is a serious matter. Luckily, California law protects you when you speak up about wrongdoing. If you find yourself in this situation, remember that you have rights. By gathering evidence and consulting a legal team, you can potentially place yourself in a strong position to pursue a wrongful termination lawsuit.