Seek Justice With a Georgia Wrongful Termination Lawyer
Not all firings are based on real actions. Sometimes, they arise when you least expect them. One day, you’re having a conversation by the photocopier when you’re told it’s time to go.
The reason? Even you don’t know. All you get is a blank stare from your boss and a document to take to the unemployment office. Something tells you the full story is being kept from you for a reason, and you may be right.
You don’t have to live with the consequences of simply being wrongfully terminated. At Punchwork Law, we fight so your Georgia or Atlanta wrongful termination does not stand (in court, with your employer, or with us).
There are federal laws in place to make sure such a thing never happens, and at-will stipulations that only go so far. If you’re looking to see if you have the evidence to start a wrongful termination lawsuit, don’t wait for things to get even harder.
Come to us and let an experienced Georgia wrongful termination law firm at Punchwork Law tell you your legal rights. Soon enough, you’ll be getting back at your hostile work environment or sly boss who made this happen.
Before we get into the exact protections you have, let’s discuss how your state handles wrongful termination cases.
How Does Georgia Define Wrongful Termination?
Like most states, Georgia operates on an at-will basis. What does this mean for employees? They can be fired or let go at any time for any reason. But only if that reason isn’t inherently illegal. Maybe they’re outright terminating you for something you can’t change: your race, age, or sex.
In cases such as these, you’d have a real, actionable reason to make your case be heard. Discrimination, retaliation, and violation of public policy are just a few stipulations that go past that at-will status. So, when your employment contract is suddenly broken for reasons you can’t explain, consider what your state protects:
Discrimination
If you can’t change it, your boss shouldn’t be trying to use it against you. Unfortunately, even the ‘kindest’ of companies still find ways to use state and federal protected characteristics against good people.
Common examples of workplace discrimination include discrimination on the basis of:
- Race
- Age
- National Origin
- Sex
- Disability
- Pregnancy Status
Retaliation
You could be doing good: reporting bias, collecting evidence of harassment, or reporting wage violations, and these honest deeds might still be considered retaliation by your employer.
Although you know you were acting in a way that protects your coworkers or keeps the office peace, you might still be fired.
Even if it doesn’t feel like it, being fired following any of these actions is blatant employer retaliation. Other examples might be being fired for:
- Filing an EEOC Claim/Charge
- Requesting Accommodations
- Participating in a Workplace Investigation
- Reporting Wage Violations
Breach of Contract
If you have been fired, check to ensure your employer followed the fine print. Even if just, your employer cannot fire you in the state of Georgia without carrying out all agreed-upon timelines or stipulations outlined in your initial employment contract.
For example, your employer must give you the amount of notice you’re contractually obligated to. And if they don’t? That’s clear evidence that you were wrongfully terminated, and our Georgia wrongful termination attorneys won’t stand for it.
Your employer may also be in obvious breach of your employment contract if they fail to:
- Give Written Notice Requirements
- Honor A Progressive Disciplinary Process
- Grant A Hearing or Internal Review
When You Might Need A Georgia Wrongful Termination Attorney
Even before you get the EEOC involved, you need a knowledgeable wrongful termination expert to make things clear. No crazy verbiage, no confusing contracts. Just real people letting you know if your case has any potential.
Without the right information, your age discrimination or protected class case may not see fruition. You need to know exactly when, where, and how your employer messed up, and the only way to do that is to work with the people who know how to turn wrongful termination issues into suits.
Looking to prove wrongful termination in your state? Talk to Punchwork Law. We’ll make it clear to your employer that they can’t sweep this, or you, under the rug.
Wrongful Termination Claims: How & Where To File Them
There are two ways to file for wrongful termination in Georgia. They’re interconnected and always required, so it’s key to know how to access them both.
When you work with a Georgia, or specifically, an Atlanta wrongful termination attorney, they’ll walk you through the process: from those initial conversations about your background to the event(s) that caused you to be pushed out without a real explanation.
Here are two main ways our attorneys will have you file in Georgia:
With The EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
First and foremost, make sure you’ve got your dates right. You need to file (with our help) within 180 days of the wrongful action. If you don’t, your case will be deemed invalid by law, and so the cycle of unjust actions continues.
Understand that the EEOC wants to help you. They’re there to protect Georgia residents against all types of employment discrimination, with wrongful termination at the top of the list. If you’re unsure of how to contact the EEOC, a Punchwork Law Georgia EEOC lawyer can help you get there.
With the GCEO (Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity)
Like filing with the EEOC, the GCEO requires that all filers submit their case within 180 days of the offense. If you do not, the GCEO cannot legally get involved. Note that the GCEO is only helpful if you were terminated for discrimination.
If your firing was based on a protected characteristic and you can prove it, talk to the GCEO. They’re a strong state-level force that can help prove that you were a victim in more ways than one. Once the GCEO is involved, you should work with a Georgia discrimination lawyer to make sure everything is filed correctly.
Fired Unlawfully? Punchwork Law Won’t Let That Go (And Neither Should You).
The answer to termination that just doesn’t feel right? A team of Georgia employment law experts who will get you more than lost wages. Because Georgia law can be complicated, seek the help of Georgia wrongful discharge attorneys who can prove that your employer’s actions were not only wrong but also unlawful.
Ready to get your case started? Call our team, and we’ll put our boots on the ground.
