Wrongful Termination

Wrongful termination is a general phrase referring to any termination of employment that is illegal or contrary to law.  Sometimes a person can be treated badly at work, harassed, subjected to a hostile work environment, and even terminated; but while that conduct may be unfair and is certainly hurtful, it is not necessarily illegal.  This practice area of employment law also includes demotions or disciplinary actions.

Here are some examples of terminations that may give rise to a legal claim:

• Company A recruits you away from a long-term, stable job with Company B, promising you a better position and a higher salary. You give your notice to Company B and plan to start work for Company A after taking a quick, long- overdue vacation. The day before you start with Company A, and after Company B has already replaced you, Company A informs you that its circumstances have changed and they no longer need you. This situation could give rise to a claim for fraudulent inducement or promissory estoppel.
• You get a job straight out of high school and, over a 30-year period, you work your way up the ranks to a middle management position. You routinely receive positive performance appraisals and regular raises. Six months after you get a new supervisor, you receive your first-ever poor performance review and you are put on a performance improvement plan (PIP). Three months later, you are terminated and replaced with a 28-year-old. This situation could give rise to an age discrimination claim under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD).
• You work in the Quality Assurance department of a large pharmaceutical company. Your boss asks you to sign off on some paperwork that is needed to release a product into the marketplace. You know that the product did not meet certain FDA regulations and you refuse to sign. Your boss writes you up for insubordination and terminates you. In this situation, you might have a whistle blower claim under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA).

Workplace Discrimination

Workplace discrimination is a serious issue that can negatively impact your current and future career prospects. It can also create dangerous levels of stress that affect your personal life and cause health issues. If you have been discriminated against or harassed in the workplace for any reason, including your age, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation, the firm’s Princeton, New Jersey harassment attorneys can help.  As your discrimination lawyer, it is the firm’s goal to protect your rights while obtaining the best possible outcome in your case.