Mission Viejo Wrongful Termination Lawyer

If your termination violated California law, you may have the right to pursue a claim. A Mission Viejo employment law attorney at Aegis Law Firm can assess your situation during a free and confidential consultation. Call (949) 379-6250 or contact us online today.

Why Choose Our Mission Viejo Wrongful Termination Lawyer

• Due to our extensive experience, clients trust our ability to identify when a firing raises legal concerns based on timing, prior treatment, and internal inconsistencies.

• We have a history of successfully handling claims against employers across a wide range of industries.

• We provide clear assessments based on the record so you understand where your situation stands before moving forward.

What Qualifies as Wrongful Termination?

California follows at-will employment, which allows employers to terminate employees for lawful reasons or no reason at all. However, termination becomes unlawful when it violates specific legal protections. Wrongful termination may occur if you were fired because of:

• A protected characteristic such as race, gender, age, disability, or religion.

• Reporting discrimination, harassment, or wage violations.

• Taking protected medical or family leave.

• Refusing to engage in illegal conduct.

• Exercising your legal rights in the workplace.

Even when an employer provides a reason for termination, the surrounding facts may show that the decision was not lawful.

What are Red Flags That a Termination May Be Unlawful?

Certain circumstances may suggest that your termination warrants closer review:

• A strong performance history followed by sudden discipline.

• Termination shortly after raising concerns or filing a complaint.

• Different treatment compared to employees in similar roles.

• Inconsistent or changing explanations for the decision.

• Pressure to resign instead of being formally terminated.

These factors do not automatically establish a claim but may indicate that further evaluation is necessary.

California Laws That Protect Employees against Wrongful Termination

Wrongful termination claims in California are based on laws that restrict when an employer can legally terminate an employee. Those include:

The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)

FEHA is a primary source of protection. Government Code §12940(a) states “It shall be an unlawful employment practice… to discharge the person from employment… because of” protected characteristics. These include race, gender, age, disability, religion, and sexual orientation.

FEHA also prohibits retaliation. According to Government Code §12940(h) “It shall be an unlawful employment practice… to discharge… any person because the person has opposed any practices forbidden under this part.” This protects employees who report discrimination or harassment.

California Labor Code Protections

Labor Code §1102.5(b) provides “An employer… shall not retaliate against an employee for disclosing information… if the employee has reasonable cause to believe” a law was violated. Additionally, Labor Code §98.6(a) states “A person shall not discharge an employee… because the employee… filed a bona fide complaint.” These laws protect employees who report workplace violations or assert their rights.

Family and Medical Leave Protections

Under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), employees have the right to take protected leave without termination. Government Code §12945.2(a) says “It shall be an unlawful employment practice… to refuse to grant… family care and medical leave.” This means employers cannot retaliate against employees for taking qualifying leave.

Public Policy Protections

California also recognizes wrongful termination claims based on public policy. This applies when an employee is terminated for:

• Refusing to engage in illegal conduct.

• Reporting unlawful activity.

• Performing a legal obligation, such as jury duty.

These protections ensure employees are not penalized for complying with the law.

How a Mission Viejo Wrongful Termination Lawyer Can Help

After a termination, employees are often left without a full explanation of what led to the decision. An attorney reviews your employment history and the circumstances surrounding the firing to determine whether your rights were violated. This may include:

• Examining performance records and prior feedback.

• Reviewing communications and internal documentation.

• Identifying inconsistencies in the employer’s explanation.

• Comparing your situation to that of other employees.

• Handling required filings and legal proceedings.

With experienced representation, you can better understand what steps to take next and rest assured that the legal aspects are handled for you.

Contact a Mission Viejo Wrongful Termination Lawyer Today

Call (949) 379-6250 or contact Aegis Law Firm online to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys will review your case and help you determine your legal options.