Worried you’re about to be fired? You’re probably right.
Talk to an employment lawyer now.
An employment lawyer can’t stop you from getting fired.
But we can help you position yourself and increase your leverage in the event you do get fired.
Take action before your termination to increase your bargaining power when it’s time to talk about a severance package.
What a Surprise. An Employment Lawyer Is Telling Me to Contact an Employment Lawyer.
I know, I know. The employment lawyer is telling you to contact an employment lawyer.
But paying for a one-hour consultation does not obligate you to hire the lawyer to represent you.
An employment lawyer can evaluate the context of your firing in a way that you or even a trusted friend or colleague cannot.
Almost all of my clients are people who have just been fired or are about to be fired. We’ve seen it all.
Learn Whether Your Employer is Violating the Law.
U.S. employees enjoy a number of protections from illegal terminations.
For example, you probably know that you cannot be fired on the basis of your sex, race, or religion, but some states also prohibit discrimination on the basis of family obligations, such as caring for a child or ailing parent.
If your employer fires you for an illegal reason, you will have leverage to negotiate a better severance package.
It’s also helpful to know if your looming termination is perfectly legal, even though it may be completely unfair or unjustified.
Learn What Actions to Take Before Your Termination.
Your employer may be building a false narrative of poor performance because you complained about workplace discrimination or about improper use of federal grant funds.
An employment lawyer can help you respond to a performance improvement plan or other actions designed to make you so miserable that you want to quit.
If your employer intends to terminate you in retaliation for your protected activity, there are steps you should take before your termination to strengthen your retaliation claim and bargaining position.
An employment lawyer probably can’t stop you from getting fired. But they can help you position yourself to make the best out of the situation.