Being fired from a job is many people’s nightmare because it is the only source of income for them. When you are fired out of the blue, you may be scared and confused. The situation becomes more complex when you suspect your firing to be illegal and based on discrimination.
When you get fired for no valid reason, it is important to ask certain questions to yourself. Check within and be honest with yourself. Ask these questions, figure out the answer, and then act on it. A Paramus wrongful termination attorney can help you fight for justice.
Questions to ask yourself if you think your firing was illegal
- Was my firing fair?
Nobody knows better about your job performance than yourself. Ask yourself if you have been performing poorly or have done something so terrible that your employer could not give you a second chance. If you have not done anything of that sort, it could be a case of wrongful termination. If you are sure that you have not crossed a line, you should contact an attorney to look into the case.
- Has the employer ever said or done anything to indicate their bias for a certain group of people?
When a person prefers one group of people more than the other, it usually starts becoming apparent after a certain time. You may catch them making offensive “jokes” or casually pointing out their favorite employees who all belong to the same group. If you have ever caught your employer doing or saying something that indicated discriminatory behavior, it is a major red flag.
- Was my termination in compliance with the company’s policies?
Every company in Paramus has a set of policies that determine the grounds and procedure of a termination. These are often included in the employee handbook. Your employer may have given it to you when you joined the company as it is an integral part of the training process.
It includes the proper procedure about warning employees and the criteria for firing someone because of poor performance, misconduct, or circumstance. If you were not given warnings or did not do anything to violate the company’s laws, your termination was not legal.
- Did the employer make requests for a sexual relationship?
In many cases, the employer makes a request for a sexual relationship or wants to have a “one-time thing” with an employee. When they do not get what they want, they may get enraged at you for denying their requests and retaliate against you. If your termination took place after you denied such favors, it is most likely a case of retaliation.