If you recently lost your job through no fault of your own, you may want to consider filing a wrongful termination suit. Because Illinois is an at-will employment state, understanding if you have legal grounds for a winning case could be confusing.

If your employer fires you for an unlawful reason, it is more than unfair, it is illegal. Whether your employer violated the state’s discrimination laws or breached your employment contract, you do not have to deal with this situation alone. Keep reading to learn what qualifies as wrongful termination and how our team of attorneys at S.T. Legal Group could help.

Discrimination is a common basis for many wrongful termination cases. Employers cannot fire an employee based on any federally protected factors, including, but not limited to:

• Age
• Race
• Gender
• Religion
• Marital status

Laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 , and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 protect employees and prohibit companies from discriminating against individuals based on certain factors. Illinois state law goes beyond the federally protected classes and also safeguards employees based on arrest record, language, and ancestry.

Terminating an employee in a retaliatory manner is unlawful. For example, if you filed a workers’ compensation claim, reported sexual harassment at work , or participated in an investigation of the company’s safety violations, and your employer fired you as a consequence, you may have a case for wrongful termination.

In Illinois, a company cannot fire its workers for taking time off work for legally protected reasons. These reasons may include situations such as voting, jury duty, and military service.

If your employer violates the terms of an enforceable employment contract or fails to follow the company’s implied policies regarding termination, the courts may consider this a qualifying circumstance. Legally, your company must honor its contractual obligations before it lets you go.

Another situation that may qualify as wrongful termination is if your manager fires you for refusing to participate in illegal activities or for reporting those activities to authorities. Firing you under these circumstances could subject the business to serious legal ramifications. In addition to potential financial penalties, the courts may order your employer to pay your damages, such as back pay, legal fees, and emotional distress.

There are exceptions to Illinois’s at-will employment laws that could protect you from wrongful termination. Our experienced team could help you understand your rights and clarify what qualifies as wrongful termination.

S.T. Legal Group is a leading employment law practice that serves clients throughout the state. Let us review your case and discuss your legal options before the statute of limitations expires. Reach out to us today to set up a consultation.

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