WRONGFUL TERMINATION
When Losing Your job May Involve More than a Termination.
Losing a job can affect your financial security, career, and future. While employment is generally at-will in Missouri, employers may not terminate employees for certain unlawful reasons. A & L, Licker Law Firm, LLC represents employees in qualifying wrongful termination and employment litigation matters throughout Missouri and Illinois.
Serving clients through Missouri & Illinois
Was Your Termination Unlawful?
Being fired does not automatically mean that an employer broke the law. Employment laws, however, prohibit certain types of discrimination and retaliation and provide protections in specific circumstances.
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If you believe you were terminated because of discrimination, retaliation, protected activity, whistleblower activity, protected leave, or another legally protected reason, the circumstances surrounding your termination may warrant legal review.
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Our attorneys represent employees in appropriate employment litigation matters and can evaluate the facts surrounding your termination and help you understand your legal options.
Missouri and Illinois Employment Laws Are Not the Same
Employment laws can vary depending on where you work, the reasons for the termination, your employer, and the circumstances surrounding your employment.
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Missouri generally follows at-will employment, meaning that an employer may generally terminate an employee without a specific reason unless an exception or other legal protection applies. However, Missouri law recognizes protections in certain circumstances, including specific discrimination, retaliation, worker's compensation, whistleblower, and public-policy situations.
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Because the legal analysis depends on the specific facts and applicable law, an employment termination should be evaluated on an individual basis.
SERVING EMPLOYEES IN MISSOURI & ILLINOIS
When Termination May Raise Legal Concerns
Employment Discrimination
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Termination based on a legally protected characteristics such as raise, color, region, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other status.
Retaliation​
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Adverse actions for reporting or opposing discrimination, participating in an investigation, or engaging in other protected activity.
Whistleblower Retaliation​
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Termination for reporting unlawful conduct or refusing to participate in activity that violates applicable law.
Workers' Compensation Retaliation​
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Prohibited from being terminated for exercising your workers' compensation rights.
Protected Leave & Employment Rights​
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Potential claims involving FMLA leave, medical leave, or other protected employment rights.
Employment Contract & Public-Policy Claims​
Termination that may violate an employment agreement or a legally recognized public policy.
The Reason for Your Termination Matters.
An employer may provide a legitimate business reason for ending an employee's employment. But when the stated reason conflicts with the surrounding circumstances, the timing of the termination, prior workplace complaints, treatment of similarity situated employees, or other evidence, additional legal questions may arise.
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Evaluating a potential wrongful termination claim requires looking at the whole picture, not simply the termination letter.
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Termination Timing
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Workplace Complaints
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Performance History
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Comparative Treatment
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Employer Communications
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Employment Records
Understanding What Happend
01
Employment History
What was your position, how long had you worked there, and what were your employment terms?
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Events Before Termination
What happened in the days, weeks, or months leading up to your termination?
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Employer's Explanation
What reason did your employer provide for ending your employment?
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Protected Activity
Did you make a workplace complaint, request protected leave, report suspected unlawful conduct, or participate in an investigation?
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Supporting Evidence
Relevant emails, documents, policies, performance reviews, termination notices, and other records.
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Applicable Law
The facts are evaluated under the laws that may apply to your employment and termination.
Employment Litigation Representation
A & L, Licker Law Firm, LLC represents employees in qualifying wrongful termination and employment litigation matters. Our attorneys work to understand the circumstances surrounding an employment dispute, evaluate potential legal claims, develop a litigation strategy, and advocate for our clients' interests.
