Losing one’s job is never easy, but it is a fact of life in every economy—Nevada’s included. The unpredictability and consequence associated with job loss can be extremely detrimental to one’s welfare and future. In addition to pursuing a new line of work, one must of course deal with bills continuing to pile up in the meantime. Whether you may be a young professional or otherwise supporting a family, those kinds of outcomes are intolerable.
Unfortunately, it may not seem like there is much you can do in the wake of job loss. Nevada’s commitment to at-will employment means that employers may terminate their relationships with employees for any legitimate reason or no reason at all. This generally makes it difficult to address circumstances associated with job loss, leaving individuals to look for new work while often deprived of resources needed to do so effectively.
The good news is that if you or someone you know has lost a job, there may well be options. Remember that while employers may terminate your employment relationship for any reason, it still must be a legitimate one that does not run afoul of federal or state laws that protect employees from being fired on account of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, gender, or public policy. Additionally, employees may be protected from termination via contracts that are either written, orally communicated or otherwise implicit. Nor can someone’s job be terminated because they have taken leave by rights associated with military leave, jury duty, voting, family or medical leave, and school activities.
If you believe that your job was protected by law, it may be time for you to speak with a Nevada-based attorney.
What to do if You Have Been Subject to Wrongful Termination
As soon as you have lost a job, you should speak with an attorney to determine if the nature of termination may have been wrongful. In the event that you have a strong case, there may be several options at your disposal. In some instances, you may be able to reclaim your job entirely or negotiate a severance package on order to make your future job hunt a bit easier. In other instances, it may be appropriate to file a lawsuit.
When speaking with an attorney, be sure that you have documented and collected as much information as possible, particularly and with respect to anything your employer may have previously communicated to you. While it is true that the absence of a contract implies that you are hired on an at-will basis, remember that the nature of said employment may be amended via any verbal communication that would for its part represent contractual obligation to keep you on board. Additionally, if there is anything illegal about the rationale of your employer, any written or otherwise communicated statements (or questions) they have made could be critical evidence against them.
HKM Employment Attorneys has national pedigree while also specializing in Nevada law at its Las Vegas office. We represent our clients professionally and with a strong commitment to defending their rights and interests. In order to set up an appointment, simply fill out our online form located here.
