If you have been wrongfully terminated from your job, it is important to take immediate action to protect your rights and seek justice. Here are nine steps you can take after wrongful termination:
Table of Contents
Document the Circumstances
If possible, try to get a written statement from your employer explaining the reasons for your termination. If you were not given a written statement, make a detailed record of the circumstances of your termination, including the date and time, the location and the names of any witnesses.
Consult With an Attorney
If you have been wrongfully terminated, it is important to consult with the one of the experienced employment lawyers Pittsburgh offers. An attorney can help you understand the laws that apply to your situation and can represent you in negotiations with your employer or in court if necessary.
Gather Evidence of Your Performance
If you believe that you were wrongfully terminated, it is important to gather evidence that shows that you were a good employee. This may include performance evaluations, letters of recommendation or other documentation that shows that you were meeting or exceeding the expectations of your job.
Review your Employment Contract
If you have an employment contract, review it carefully to see if it contains any provisions that may apply to your situation. For example, your contract may contain a clause that requires your employer to give you a certain amount of notice before terminating your employment or it may contain a clause that prohibits your employer from terminating you without good cause.
File a Claim With the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
If you believe that you were wrongfully terminated because of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or other protected characteristic, you may be able to file a claim with the EEOC. The EEOC is a federal agency that enforces laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace.
File a Claim With the Fair Employment Practices Agency
In addition to the EEOC, many states have their own fair employment practices agencies that enforce state laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace. If you believe that you were wrongfully terminated because of discrimination, you may be able to file a claim with your state’s agency.
File for Unemployment Benefits
If you have been wrongfully terminated, you may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Unemployment benefits are designed to help workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. To file for unemployment benefits, you will need to contact your state’s unemployment agency and provide information about your employment history and the reasons for your termination.
Apply for New Jobs
After you have been wrongfully terminated, it is important to start looking for a new job as soon as possible. Keep in mind that you have the right to be truthful about the reasons for your termination when applying for new jobs. However, it is generally a good idea to focus on the positive aspects of your work history and avoid discussing any negative aspects of your previous employment.
Keep a Record of Your Expenses
If you have incurred any expenses as a result of your wrongful termination such as the cost of job search activities or the cost of transportation to job interviews, be sure to keep a record of these expenses. You may be able to recover some or all of these costs as part of a settlement or judgment in your favor.
After wrongful termination, it can feel like your entire life is spiraling. Keeping calm and following these steps can help you to maintain some order and get you back onto the path you want to be on.
Visit the rest of the site Updated Ideas for more useful and informative articles. If you want to write for us, just hit the contact button in the top right corner.
Thank you!