Though a favorite tactic of employers is to claim that California is an “at will” employment state, this does not mean that employees can be terminated for any reason at all. If one is terminated because of their race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or due to some other discriminatory motive, that termination is illegal. In addition, California Law prohibits terminations that are against “public policy”. This means that you cannot be terminated for failing to do something that is against the law or for reporting something that is illegal or improper.
At The Law Offices of Jason A. Pollack, we have represented employers and employees in wrongful termination actions. We have litigated these matters in both State and Federal Court as well as before the California State Labor Commissioner and Private Arbitrators.
Do not be bullied into signing a termination or severance agreement if you feel that your rights have been violated. You have a right to a lawyer. (You better believe they have had their lawyers draft their documents). Even if you have signed such an agreement and later feel that it was improper, there may be ways to protect your rights as an employee.