Many people have not had to deal with the reality of getting fired from a job — but many, in fact, have. After getting fired, it is very easy to begin thinking about what your employer did and how they unfairly treated you. Sometimes you may have a case — other times, it is just wishful thinking. But in any case, it is important to consider exactly how you were terminated from your position and what your legal standing is going forward.
Ohio is an “at will” employment state. What this means is that, in the absence of an employment contract, your employer can fire you for nearly anything. However, there are still laws that forbid them from taking action against you under certain circumstances.
For example, they can’t fire you for reporting sexual harassment. They can’t fire you because you were discriminated against and you reported it. They can’t fire you because you supported your co-worker’s claims of harassment or discrimination. And they can’t fire you over a rightful wage-and-hour dispute or a rightful dispute over leave time and medical care.
There are limits to what employers can do, and they will always try to push those limits. It is the unfortunate reality we live in. So you have to do what is right and in your best interests when your employer pushes up against these limits. You have to fight back. Consult with an experienced employment law attorney, such as the knowledgeable people at Lindhorst & Dreidame, as soon as possible.