Wrongful Termination Lawyers in Pennsylvania

Employees in Pennsylvania are protected under strict employment laws. If you feel you have been wrongfully dismissed, you may be entitled to file a wrongful termination lawsuit against your employer. At Saffren & Weinberg, our dedicated Allentown wrongful termination lawyers work diligently to protect the rights of workers. Let us help you.

What Defines a Wrongful Termination?

Pennsylvania is considered an “employment at will” state, meaning that an employer can terminate an employee for almost any reason at all – unless, in doing so, they have broken the law. Fortunately, there are state and federal laws, as well as public policies, that protect employees from wrongful discharge. And these employment laws are particularly critical for an employee who feels they have been wrongfully terminated. 

Courts in Pennsylvania have held that an employee cannot be terminated for reasons of discrimination, retaliation, or violation of public policy. Laws also protect employees regarding wages and employment benefits. Furthermore, if an employer violates the termination terms of an employment contract, that employee can also pursue a wrongful termination lawsuit against that employer. 

While employers seem to have all the power in an employment-at-will landscape, when laws have been violated, any employer can and should be held accountable. However, these types of cases can be extremely complex. If you feel you may have been wrongly terminated, you owe it to yourself to get the legal counsel of an experienced Allentown employment lawyer to understand your rights and options. 

Wrongful Termination Based on Discrimination

If you were terminated from your job based on your race, gender, age, disability, religion, or sexual orientation, you are protected under state and federal laws. Have you experienced a discriminatory culture at your workplace, and have you been terminated because of it?

• Have you been asked inappropriate questions or been the subject of offensive remarks regarding your race, gender identity, age, or other discriminatory matters?
• Is there a general lack of diversity in your workplace?
• Have you been the subject of persistent demeaning, harsh, or offensive remarks from your employer or colleagues?
• Are you receiving unequal pay from that of a coworker with the same position and experience as you?
• Have you been overlooked for promotion in favor of others who are less qualified?
• Have you been the subject of unjust disciplinary actions by managers and supervisors?

If so, you may have been unlawfully discriminated against. But suspecting discrimination will not be enough to bring a wrongful termination lawsuit against your employer. You must be able to prove it, and this is where it can become more complex.

A wrongful termination case based on discrimination can be difficult to prove and will weigh heavily on the amount of evidence you and your Allentown wrongful termination lawyer can collect to support your case. You can do your part by keeping detailed records of events, emails, and performance reports that led up to your termination.

Wrongful Termination Based on Retaliation

As an employee, Pennsylvania employment laws give you the right to take specific actions without fear of retaliation by your employer. An employer is prohibited from terminating, demoting, or penalizing an employee in retaliation for reporting workplace violations or seeking benefits to which they are entitled. 

Examples of retaliatory behavior include:

• Demoting you, including lessening your status or privileges associated with your position or suddenly limiting your responsibilities
• Reassigning your duties to others 
• Passing you over for a promotion or raise when you have earned it
• Denying you opportunities or educational benefits
• Suddenly micromanaging your work
• Reducing your hours, hourly wages or salary, commissions, bonuses, or reducing benefits such as sick time or family leave
• Intentionally excluding you from workplace trainings, meetings, or social events
• Bullying and harassing you
• Sudden negative performance reviews
• Termination

Unfortunately, employers know they walk a fine line between legal and unlawful behaviors and often defend their actions by fabricating narratives about an employee’s performance or incompetency. This is why it is crucial to get the assistance of a skilled Allentown employment lawyer to help defend your rights if you have suffered employer retaliation. 

If you feel that your rights under state and federal employment laws have been violated, the Allentown wrongful termination lawyers at Saffren and Weinberg are here to protect your rights and hold your employer accountable. 

Wrongful Termination Based on Violations of Public Policy in Pennsylvania

Some violations are not matters of law but of actions that the court system has formerly upheld. These are considered public policy.

To prevail in a wrongful termination lawsuit because of a violation of public policy, you must be able to prove specific things:

• You took part in a “protected activity.” Protected activities include such things as filing a workers’ compensation claim or filing a claim against your employer.
• You must show that your termination happened immediately following this activity or your employer’s knowledge of your intention to participate in the activity. 
• You must then be able to show a direct link between your participation in the activity and your termination. 

Your employment attorney can evaluate the circumstances of your situation to determine if it meets wrongful termination based on a violation of public policy. If so, your attorney will work with you to gather evidence in support of your claim to hold your employer accountable. 

 What are the Possible Legal Remedies in a Wrongful Termination Case?

A wrongful termination lawsuit can result in several possible remedies for you as a wronged employee. You may be able to seek damages for:

• Your lost wages
• Any emotional distress you may have suffered
• Any pain and suffering you may have suffered
• Reinstatement of your employment
• Injunctive relief against the employer to stop their behavior
• Possible punitive damages if the employer’s actions were especially egregious

Getting Help When You Have Been Wrongly Terminated in Pennsylvania

It may seem as if employers have all the rights, but you have very specific legal rights as an employee. Your employer can be held liable for any damages you’ve suffered if they have violated those rights. 

If you believe your employer violated your rights, you may be entitled to bring a wrongful termination lawsuit against them. It is crucial that you get the advice and guidance of an experienced Allentown wrongful termination to understand your options. At Saffren & Weinberg, our skilled Allentown employment termination lawyers can help you bring a wrongful termination lawsuit to hold your employer liable. Call us at (215) 576-0100 or contact us online to schedule a no-cost case evaluation. 

Disclosure:

This website is designed to provide only general information. The information presented on this website is not formal legal advice. You should not rely on any general information from any source for making legal decisions. Each legal matter is unique and requires specific attention from a qualified and experienced attorney. Unless a representation agreement has been signed with Saffren & Weinberg, we are not your legal representatives.