Fired During an HR Investigation You Started?

Were you suddenly fired during an HR investigation you started? When this happens, your first thoughts are likely that it was a coincidence.

However, could your termination actually be illegal retaliation? Let our knowledgeable employment attorneys at Wanta Thome help you explore worker rights and the next steps you should take if you find yourself in the middle of a wrongful termination battle. Contact us today to get started.

Understanding Your Legal Protections

Retaliation for an HR investigation you initiated can go beyond termination of employment. It can also include pay cuts, reassignments, or sudden write-ups. Thankfully, as either a private or public sector employee, state laws protect you against retaliatory action after you report wrongdoing as a whistleblower. The Minnesota Whistleblowers Act states that it is illegal for an employer to discharge, discipline, penalize, interfere with, threaten, restrain, coerce, or otherwise retaliate against employees who report violations, including those made to HR. Similarly, the Minnesota Human Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination and retaliation based on an employee’s reporting illegal conduct.

During an initial consultation at Wanta Thome Employment Lawyers, our team can further explain the legal protections in place and how they may be applied to your case.

Proving Retaliation in an HR Investigation You Started

To prove illegal termination for your report to HR, you must establish three core legal elements.

Protected Activity

You must show that you reported a good-faith belief of discrimination, harassment, or illegal conduct.

Adverse Employment Action

You must prove your employer took a material, negative action against you, such as termination, discrimination, or other forms of retaliation.

Causal Connection

You must connect your report to the negative action by highlighting suspicious timing or false or shifting explanations for the firing.

What Types of Evidence Support My Claim?

There are several ways to prove your illegal dismissal during an HR investigation you initiated. Evidence of wrongdoing that supports your claim could include:

• Written admission, including emails, text messages, or memos from superiors admitting the firing was because of a complaint
• Personnel records, such as past good reviews from your file that prove the sudden firing reason is false
• Witness statements from coworkers who heard threats or saw unfair changes in your work duties
• Complaint logs, including dated copies of internal HR reports or external agency filings just before your company fired you

If you wait to seek legal counsel, you give your employer time to cover their tracks and dispose of evidence that may prove they acted illegally. Because of this, it is essential to contact our team and begin building your wrongful termination case as soon as possible.

Contact Us if Your Company Dismissed You for an HR Investigation You Started

Have you been fired during an HR investigation you started? This could be unlawful retaliation. A good step to take now is to consult with an experienced employment lawyer early in the process. Do not give your employer the chance to conceal evidence.

At Wanta Thome Employment Lawyers, we fight for you by showing the link between your complaint and your termination. You have questions about securing justice and compensation, and we have the answers. Call our award-winning team now and ask about our contingency fee options.