Georgia considers employment relationships to be at will, which means employers have the right to dismiss workers at any time as long as their reasons are lawful. This does not mean, however, that employees have no rights if their employer terminates their employment.
If you believe your employer unfairly dismissed you, an Atlanta at-will wrongful termination lawyer from Feldman Legal Group could help you understand your rights. Mitchell Feldman and his team of dedicated employee rights attorneys challenge improper termination decisions and recover substantial benefits for terminated at-will workers.
When Is Termination of an At-Will Employee Wrongful?
State employment law allows employers to dismiss workers for poor performance or in the event of worsening economic conditions. In Atlanta, an employment rights lawyer may challenge the dismissal of an at-will employee as wrongful if they believe the termination is:
- Retaliation for the employee’s refusal to do something illegal
- A breach of an explicit guarantee of a defined duration of employment in a written contract
- On account of the employee’s race, religion, sexual orientation, advanced age, or disability
- A response to the employee’s request for family or medical leave or for time away from work to serve on a jury
- Punishment for the employee’s reporting of the employer’s financial fraud, safety violations, or other unlawful conduct
If you are unsure if your employment termination was wrongful, an attorney from Feldman Legal Group could review your situation and advise you on your rights and potential remedies.
What Evidence Do Lawyers Need to Prove a Termination Was Wrongful?
The evidence an attorney needs to prove a wrongful termination varies from case to case. Many employers will claim to have valid reasons for the dismissal, and will likely support their claims with appraisals showing weak performance or economic reports detailing a business downturn. Your lawyer may challenge your employer’s claims by presenting contrary evidence, such as:
- Emails and other communications complimenting your performance and abilities
- Expert analysis and testimony of financial records showing the strength of your employer’s business
- Comparisons showing that your employer treated other employees who are not in a protected class more favorably
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Department of Labor Reports verifying the unsafe or improper workplace conditions you reported
Many employers do not want the negative publicity that often accompanies a wrongful termination lawsuit. As a result, they may offer quick settlements and require you to sign a nondisclosure agreement as a condition of payment of any compensation. Your Atlanta at-will employee rights attorney could negotiate a larger damages award for your wrongful dismissal and ensure you will not suffer further adverse consequences as a result of onerous nondisclosure conditions.
Do Severance Agreements Preclude Wrongful Termination Claims?
Severance agreements often include clauses that release the employer from lawsuits, including wrongful termination claims. If you signed such an agreement in Atlanta, your experienced at-will wrongful dismissal lawyer could analyze it to determine if you signed it under duress, or if the release is valid and enforceable.
Certain types of releases, for example, may be invalid if they are too broad or violate regulations regarding age discrimination and other improper actions. You should not hesitate to contact a lawyer even if you did sign a severance contract, as an invalid release cannot protect your former employer from a lawsuit.
Contact an Atlanta At-Will Employee Rights Attorney After a Wrongful Termination
An Atlanta at-will wrongful termination lawyer from Feldman Legal Group is your best resource and advocate if you are facing the uncertainties that accompany the loss of employment. Contact our offices at any time for an assessment of the strength of your claim and your right and opportunity to pursue damages from your unscrupulous former employer.
(877) 946-8293