Build Your Case With a Missouri Wrongful Termination Lawyer

Yes, work can be hard. It can be mentally taxing, physically tiresome, and sometimes, just plain overwhelming – but it shouldn’t be the reason you feel out of place.

Termination, especially when it’s illegal, should not be tolerated. If your employer has recently let you go on the basis of discrimination (your gender, race, sex, or national origin), it’s time to speak up.

Punchwork Law’s experienced, hard-hitting Missouri wrongful termination lawyers are here to shut down obvious workplace discrimination. That includes — but isn’t limited to — how and why you were fired.

If you’re not sure where to start, call us. Our proud team will build a personalized case and get you the complete, won’t-back-down legal counsel you need to win.

Before you schedule your free consultation with us, let’s discuss the ins and outs of wrongful termination:

Wrongful Termination by Definition 

What’s difficult to grasp about wrongful termination laws? They vary by state. In one state, you could be guaranteed protection without clear or layered evidence. However, in states like Missouri, the laws are a bit more complicated (vague, even).

By definition, wrongful termination is the unlawful firing of an employee for discriminatory reasons, whether that’s identity, retaliation, or breach of contract. All are protected under federal law as illegal reasons to fire or terminate an employee.

The truth is: What may feel like an obvious act of prejudice to you may not be justified by law, creating a larger, harder-to-prove gap between you and the justice you deserve. Luckily, there are ways to get around it.

The Missouri Human Rights Commission is an organization that’s open to the public. It investigates state instances of workplace discrimination, helping you form a clear case and fight back against your unlawful or discriminatory employer’s termination tactics. The commission also aids Missouri residents in filing housing or public accommodation discrimination claims.

For larger, federal-level cases, there’s the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission). Built upon the idea that no employee should face unjust treatment alone, the EEOC works to eliminate common workplace discrimination cases under protected laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act.

Employment Law: A Slippery Slope

Regardless of the kind of discrimination you’ve experienced, you will get justice. Punchwork Law’s Missouri wrongful termination law firm promises to break down those pesky terms employers might use to avoid prosecution.

Employment law is essentially a set of rules that define employment relationships: employee-to-employer, employee-to-coworker, and an employee’s workplace rights. How these rules are carried out depends on the workplace, although all businesses must treat employees fairly.

This is where employers find themselves in hot water. They think their microaggressions or small remarks are immune to legal repercussions. Unfortunately for them, our employment lawyers are on the case. Whether you were let go after reporting harassment, punished for taking medical leave, or constantly targeted with discriminatory comments, you’re entitled to legal protection.

At Punchwork Law, we care just as much about what happened to you as we do about what happens next. If your employer has failed to provide a substantial reason for terminating your employment, they’re in for a long ride. Even if they have, we bring the years of courtroom and negotiation experience necessary to make things right.

Now, let’s talk about Missouri’s at-will employment laws and how these could possibly affect your case.

What Missouri’s Employment Laws Say About Wrongful Termination 

Like most U.S. states, Missouri is an at-will employment state. That means your boss can choose to let you go whenever and however they see fit. This goes for employees as well. Employers wanting a get out of jail free card might use this to find loopholes that benefit them, like skipping out on paying you what you rightfully deserve.

It’s the small, hard-to-prove stuff, like getting called names or being pushed out for no real reason. When employers hide behind petty excuses or toxic behavior, it’s no wonder so many workers don’t realize they have a case. At-will termination may look like letting someone go due to poor work performance or consistent inappropriate behavior.

To protect yourself against unlawful workplace practices, get to know the local laws. You could be one move away from employer malpractice, or in this case, a crystal-clear case for legal action against them.

If you’ve already gathered the information you need to act, contact us. We’ll walk you towards the financial, personal, and emotional freedom you need to get back to work in a place that treats you right.

Identifying a Potential Case

Don’t ignore your gut. Potential cases pass by people who second-guess themselves, and in the end, their previous employers end up getting rewarded for their bad behavior. We make it easy for Missouri residents to know and use the resources available to them through our attorneys at Punchwork Law.

Here’s what you need to look out for in identifying and pursuing a potential wrongful termination case:

Discrimination

Race, religion, sex, age, and disability are all unlawful reasons for your employer to let you go. Even if they have an actionable reason for terminating you, if there is an underlying tie to any of these identifying characteristics, you could pursue a case.

Ask yourself: Have you recently announced a pregnancy? Or, did you disclose your disability to a trusted coworker or friend? Consider, even if it’s hard, if your identity or other protected characteristics have played a role in how your employer fired you.

Retaliation

Sometimes, you open the door for others to see the unjust behavior that’s been happening in your office. Maybe you were just trying to protect yourself, or maybe you noticed a pattern.

Either way, you don’t deserve to be fired for wanting to work somewhere safe, legal, and healthy. Retaliation that results in termination may look like reporting unsafe office conditions, taking FMLA leave, or filing a workers’ compensation claim.

Breach of Contract 

Your employment contract is important long after you initially sign on to the job. Take a closer look at the fine print, and you’ll see that every action your employer takes post-signing can be dealt with legally.

For instance, say your employer fails to give you two weeks notice before firing you. This is an obvious breach of contract, something that can and will be tried in court.

Feel Like You’ve Been Treated Unfairly? Talk to a Missouri Wrongful Termination Attorney

No one should have to carry the weight of being fired for something that they cannot change. If you feel alienated by your ex-employer and the sting of wrongful termination, contact a firm that practices Missouri wrongful termination law with force.

At the end of your time with us, you’ll be granted one of the following solutions: reinstatement, financial compensation, and our personal favorite, freedom. Not only will you feel better knowing that you weren’t terminated in vain, but you’ll have legal proof that everything you felt was completely justified.

So, ready to fight back? Call or message us for a free consultation and start breaking ground on your pathway to justice.