Wrongful Termination
Why Choose Zakay Law Group?
The Right Firm Makes a Difference
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Aggressive Representation for California EmployeesWe are relentless in fighting for your rights. With a mission to ensure fair treatment of all employees, we hold employers accountable and pursue justice for violations of California employment laws.
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Proven Track Record of SuccessOur team has recovered millions of dollars in settlements for employees, ranging from small businesses to large corporations.
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Free Consultations AvailableAt Zakay Law Group, we believe that every employee deserves the opportunity to seek justice without barriers. That’s why we offer free consultations to all potential clients.
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Personalized Service, Powerful ResultsAs a boutique firm we deliver personalized attention to every case, while collaborating with larger firms to pool resources, ensuring our clients receive top-tier representation against even the biggest corporations.
Legal vs. Illegal Termination in California
In California, employment is typically "at-will," meaning employers can terminate employees at any time for any reason or no reason. This is accepted as long as it does not violate the law. Legal termination might occur due to poor job performance or economic layoffs. However, termination becomes illegal if it is based on violations of California or federal employment law.
Situations where termination may be deemed unlawful can include:
- Discrimination: Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and federal laws, it's illegal to terminate an employee based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected statuses.
- Retaliation: Employers cannot fire employees for engaging in protected activities, such as filing a complaint about workplace discrimination or harassment, reporting safety violations, or participating in a law enforcement or government investigation.
- Violation of public policy: Termination is illegal if it violates public policy. This could include terminating you for refusing to break the law, reporting your company’s illegal activities, exercising your right to vote, serving on a jury, or taking medical leave.
- Breach of contract: If an employment contract specifies conditions for termination, firing an employee outside those terms can be illegal.
- Whistleblower protections: Employees who report illegal activities or violations of law by their employer are protected from termination under whistleblower protection laws.
- Family and Medical Leave: Terminating an employee for taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) is illegal.