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Most employees in most states are "at-will employees," meaning that, with a few exceptions (see below), you can be fired at any time at the will of your employer for almost no reason at all. Simply because you have worked for an employer for a long time, even years, and have done a good job, even received raises and favorable performance reviews, that does not mean that your employer owes you life-long employment or any employment, for that matter. The company does not owe you anything for all of your years of hard, loyal work. What are the exceptions to this? You cannot be fired because of your race, color, national origin, gender, religious beliefs, pregnancy, being over 40 or physical or mental disability (at this writing you can be fired for your sexual orientation). If you believe that you have been fired because of one of these issues, call an attorney because you may have grounds to sue your former employer. If you have an employee contract that guarantees your employment for a set number of years and you are fired, your employer may be guilty of breach of contract. You may, however, be justly fired if your employer has "good cause," such as your failing to do your job, stealing, etc. Other reasons you cannot be fired:
One good thing about being fired is you can usually collect unemployment benefits. If you voluntarily quit, unless you are the victim of a "constructive discharge," you generally cannot collect unemployment. Check with an attorney to see if you are indeed an "at-will employee" and to understand your rights if you have been fired. |