Retaliation And Wrongful Termination
Both Maryland state and federal laws protect the rights of employees from unlawful retaliation or wrongful termination in the workplace. However, what constitutes unlawful retaliation or termination depends on very specific facts. Employees who were fired or let go cannot simply file a legal claim based on their own perceptions of the rightness or fairness of termination.
The Law Firm of Stephen S. Burgoon can help fired employees understand their situation in light of the legal statutes governing retaliation and wrongful termination. Frederick employment attorney Stephen Burgoon has represented both employers and employees in various employment law matters since 1993. He can review your situation and provide sound guidance on your options for pursuing a legal claim.
Being fired or let go with little or no explanation is frustrating. Mr. Burgoon has handled hundreds of claims in both state and federal court as well as before administrative agencies. He can investigate your situation and help you determine whether your employer’s actions violated state or federal laws.
Understanding Retaliation
Unlawful retaliation occurs when an employee suffers adverse action because he or she exercised his or her protected employment rights, such as:
- Reporting cases of discrimination or sexual harassment in the workplace
- Filing for workers’ compensation
- Asking for a protected leave of absence such as those covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Requesting an accommodation for a disability
- Reporting cases of suspected or confirmed misconduct on the part of an individual employee or the employer
Retaliation can take many forms. Individuals can be wrongfully denied benefits or demoted. They could also receive a “retaliatory discharge” after reporting the incident through appropriate internal channels or to a government agency such as the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination only occurs if the employee is fired in violation of a clear mandate of public policy — not if the employee has been made redundant or let go for seemingly unjust reasons. As such, consulting with an experienced employment attorney should be your first step before filing a legal claim.
Contact An Experienced Maryland Employment Lawyer
If you suspect you have been the victim of unlawful retaliation or wrongful termination, consult with an experienced employment lawyer. Contact the Law Firm of Stephen S. Burgoon at 301-264-7213 or fill out the online contact form.