Steps to Take if You Are Wrongfully Terminated or Retaliated Against

Wrongful terminations and retaliation in the workplace are alarmingly common. With this in mind, if you believe that your employer may have violated your legal rights, you are right to be thinking about hiring a lawyer to represent you. In this situation, there are a handful of steps you should try to take promptly—as unnecessary delays can lead to unnecessary challenges.

What should you do if you believe that you may be a victim of wrongful termination or retaliation? Here are five steps you should take as soon as possible:

Step #1: Take Detailed Notes

One of the first steps you should take in this situation is to take detailed notes. Why do you believe that you are a victim of wrongful termination or retaliation? Who was involved? When did each of the major events in the process occur? Even in very serious situations, our memories can start to fade quickly, so taking notes now will help ensure that you don’t overlook key details later on.

Step #2: Keep All Relevant Records

At this point, you should keep all relevant records that you currently have in your possession. However, if you no longer have access to your work computer or workplace, you should not try to obtain any records that you do not already have. Records that you should keep (if you have them) include:

• Recent pay stubs and W-2s
• Any relevant text messages, emails, direct messages or other communications
• Any letters or other formal documentation you received regarding your termination or the other adverse employment action at issue

Of course, if you have anything else that you think might be relevant, you should keep this too. The more documentation you have, the better. If you aren’t sure whether a document or communication is relevant, you should keep it to discuss with your lawyer.

Step #3: Learn About Your Legal Rights

Understanding your legal rights as an employee can be challenging. With that said, asserting your legal rights when necessary is also extremely important. Our blog contains a wealth of information that you can use to learn more about your situation.

Step #4: Make Sure You Know the Deadlines that Apply

Wrongful termination and retaliation claims are subject to strict deadlines—and these deadlines can vary depending on the specific federal or state employment law that protects you. If you aren’t sure how long you have to file, this will make it especially important to take action promptly.

Step #5: Talk to a Philadelphia Employment Lawyer

Taking action starts with talking to an employment lawyer. If you have a wrongful termination or retaliation claim, you will need to hire an experienced lawyer to take action on your behalf. This is not a situation that you should try to handle on your own—and you do not want to give your employer the opportunity to take control of the process.

Contact Us for a Free and Confidential Consultation About Your Legal Rights

Do you have a wrongful termination or retaliation claim? Contact us to find out. Call 267-273-1054 or contact us online to arrange a free and confidential consultation.