How to Prove Wrongful Termination Due to Discrimination in California?

Dealing with discrimination in the workplace can be bad enough. However, once your employer decides to terminate your employment, you may have grounds for quite a significant legal claim. Since California is an at-will employment state, no employer is required to provide a cause to terminate an employee. They can do so at will. However, they can’t fire you for any illegal reason. You should know how to prove wrongful termination due to discrimination in California.

During a situation like this, it may be wise to retain legal counsel to help you work through this. The help of an experienced wrongful termination attorney cannot be overstated during all this. They can help you gather evidence and build a successful case. You will want someone with significant experience handling wrongful termination cases like yours, as well as someone with extensive knowledge of California wrongful termination laws. Our firm can help you.

Hire a Wrongful Termination Lawyer

There are many significant reasons why you should hire a wrongful termination lawyer to help you through this. Above all, you will want peace of mind that your case is being handled by the right people and in the right way. The legal team at Asbill Law Group recognizes how difficult your case can get. Our team has considerable litigation experience with employment law situations. We can bring a personalized and focused approach to your case from start to finish.

According to recent statistical data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), discrimination cases are not rare in California. In 2024, there were over 5,000 cases of workplace discrimination throughout the state. If you are wrongfully terminated due to workplace discrimination, it is vital that you speak with a lawyer and pursue damages against your employer. You could end up preventing someone from going through the same thing.

Losing your job due to discrimination can be severely detrimental to your mental health. Before you move forward with legal action, you may want to consider taking care of yourself mentally and prioritizing your own health. You may want to think about reaching out to a local mental health support group like CalHOPE or NAMI California. Talking to people about their own struggles with discrimination can help you feel less alone and give you a chance to heal.

How to Prove Wrongful Termination Due to Discrimination

Throughout this ordeal, it’s important to keep in mind that California remains an at-will employment state. That means that no employer in the state is required to provide cause for firing an employee. They can do so whenever they want. However, if they fire you because of discrimination or retaliation, it violates California labor laws, and you may have a case. Here’s how you can prove wrongful termination due to discrimination in California:

• First, you have to establish your protected class. Before you can pursue legal action for discrimination, you have to prove that you belong to a protected class that’s illegal to discriminate against. These classes include race, skin color, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, national origin, and pregnancy.
• Next, you have to gather evidence that proves your employer fired you because of discrimination. It’s likely that your employer gave you a vague, non-discriminatory reason for ending your employment. You have to prove that this is false. Gather evidence like performance reviews, emails and texts, audio recordings, and inconsistencies in your employer’s story.
• Next, you will want to hire an employment lawyer to help you build a significant case against your employer. They may encourage you to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which you must do anyway before you can file a legal claim.

FAQs

How Can You Prove You Were Fired for Discrimination?

There are many ways you can prove that you were fired for discrimination, and all of them can be difficult. Primarily, you should gather as much evidence as you can find that proves your version of events. This evidence will include audio recordings, performance reviews, disciplinary records, and more. Even circumstantial evidence, like patterns of discrimination and suspicious timing, may be helpful in building your case. The more evidence you have, the better.

Is It Hard to Prove Wrongful Termination in California?

Yes, it will be hard to prove wrongful termination in California. Since California is an at-will employment state, your employer is not legally required to tell you why they fired you. They can terminate your employment whenever they want. It’s your job to prove that they fired you out of retaliation for reporting certain behavior or as a result of discriminatory behavior. Your lawyer can help you gather evidence.

What Qualifies as Wrongful Termination in California?

Wrongful termination occurs in California when an employer terminates an employee for unlawful reasons. Generally, these reasons are retaliation for whistleblowing actions, discrimination against a person’s protected class, or a breach of your employment contract. If you believe that you have been terminated due to an unlawful reason, you should bring your concerns to an employment lawyer and see if you have a case.

Should I Hire an Employment Lawyer for My Case?

Yes, you should hire an employment lawyer for your case. Wrongful termination cases can be difficult to prove alone. It’s possible your employer will try to fight your case in order to avoid the public backlash that could come with a loss. An experienced lawyer can help you build a strong case, gather the evidence you need, and represent your interests during a difficult and potentially painful time.

Reach Out to a Wrongful Termination Lawyer Today

Losing your job can be a difficult thing to overcome, especially if you only lost it because your employer was trying to hurt you. The more evidence you have of your employer’s unlawful actions towards you, the easier it will be to establish grounds for a wrongful termination case. The legal team at Asbill Law Group can help you put your case together and make sure you aren’t taken advantage of. Contact us to speak to a member of our team about your case.