Illinois employers generally have broad authority to terminate at-will employees, but that doesn’t give them the right to fire you for an illegal reason. State law protects you from your employer firing you over discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblowing, even when they use your at-will status as an excuse.
If you believe an employer unlawfully fired you, you need to explore your legal options as soon as possible. At Wanta Thome Employment Lawyers, our award-winning unlawful termination attorneys can determine whether your employer crossed the line and what you can do next. Talk to a Chicago at-will wrongful termination lawyer today for legal assistance.
At-will employment generally means both the employer and the employee have the right to end the employment relationship at any time without needing a specific reason. Most Illinois employment relationships follow the at-will rule unless an employment contract changes that relationship. Even then, the law still considers many people working under an employment contract at-will employees.
At-will employment gives employers flexibility, but it doesn’t provide them with immunity. Your employer can’t use at-will employment as permission to discriminate, retaliate, or violate other employment laws. If an employer has fired you unlawfully in Chicago, it’s time to speak with an at-will wrongful termination attorney.
You may have a wrongful termination claim even as an at-will employee if your employer fired you for a reason the law prohibits. Our Chicago attorneys have handled at-will wrongful terminations involving the following:
Your employer cannot fire you because of a characteristic that applicable discrimination laws protect you from. Some of the protected classes that can lead to claims of discrimination include:
An employer may also discriminate due to military and marital status, as well as other protected traits.
You have the right to report wrongdoing or comply with a government investigation without fear of punishment. If an employer fires you in retaliation for making a report or whistleblowing, you can pursue a wrongful termination suit as an at-will employee.
Employers can’t retaliate against workers for exercising certain rights by law. Depending on the circumstances, this can include taking protected leave or requesting a legally protected accommodation. At Wanta Thome, we can identify which protections apply, rather than leaving you to determine them from complicated state and federal requirements.
The remedies available after an illegal firing can vary depending on the circumstances. While many plaintiffs are primarily concerned about financial compensation, there might be other options in your case, including reinstatement to your previous position. Our attorneys may be able to help you pursue the following:
No single remedy applies to every wrongful termination case. For example, some plaintiffs might care deeply about getting their old job back, while others might refuse to return to their former workplace. Our lawyers in Chicago can evaluate your claim for at-will wrongful termination and help you understand what recovery might look like.
The sooner you reach out to our legal team, the better your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. Schedule your consultation with Wanta Thome as soon as possible to begin collecting evidence before it disappears.
Don’t let your employer’s claim that your employment is at-will convince you that you have no case. You have rights under the law, and you deserve justice if an employer has unlawfully fired you. That’s where a Chicago at-will wrongful termination lawyer can help.
These cases can be complicated, but you never have to face them alone. Contact our team at Wanta Thome promptly to determine whether your employer broke the law and what options you have to hold them accountable.