Employees may not be fired for exercising a legal right, refusing to commit an illegal act, or complaining about workplace illegality.
Public policy claims are similar to, but slightly different from retaliation claims. A retaliation claim is based on a specific legal provision in an employment law that prohibits employers from firing employees for exercising that right or filing a complaint about being denied that right.
Wrongful termination in violation of public policy is a type of personal injury (tort) claim, which means a successful employee can collect not only lost wages and benefits, but also damages for emotional distress, and punitive damages (where an employer’s actions are particularly bad).
David Payab, Esq. from The Law Offices of Payab & Associates can be reached @ (818) 918-5522 or by visiting http://payablaw.com/