5 Reasons Your Employer Can't Fire You

5 Reasons Your Employer Can't Fire You
Getting fired is always an unwelcome event; the financial strain of unemployment paired with the frustration of creating a compelling resume and job hunting is enough to leave any professional devastated.

While most professionals worry about potentially making a mistake that's big enough to terminate their employment contract legally, employees do not need to worry about being fired for the following reasons.

If you're employer fires you for any of these reasons, you can seek legal counsel at HKM.com.

Retaliation To Sexual Harassment Complaints

Dealing with sexual harassment at work and navigating a generally hostile workplace remain major employment problems across all industries. Unfortunately, hostile work environments have massively negative impacts on employee well-being, from depression and heightened stress to emotional exhaustion and even lowered self-esteem.

When it comes to workplace sexual harassment, employers are required by law to take steps that prosecute perpetrators. The same applies to any other form of workplace hostility.

Filing A Compensation Claim After An Injury

All employers are required by law to compensate employees who endure accidental illness or injury at work or while performing job role responsibilities. As a result, employment protection laws forbid employers from retaliating against workers' compensation claims.

Announcing Your Pregnancy

Anti-discrimination laws protect all employees from termination and unfair treatment associated with race, gender, religious orientation, age, and pregnancy.

On the topic of pregnancy, it's unfortunately not unheard of for employers to unlawfully terminate contracts due to maternity leave requirements that may interfere with workflows and company expenses. Fortunately, this kind of discriminatory treatment is a legal offense, and employers can take action against employers to seek compensation.

Joining A Union

Toxic employers might feel disgruntled when employees join unions because unions aim to safeguard employees' best interests. This means that employers have the protection of the trade union when instances of unfair treatment arise.

Fortunately, employees are also protected by employment laws that guarantee the right to engage in union activity without worrying about retaliation. Because these laws exist, various unions exist within the vast majority of work environments around the globe.

Refusing To Work Extra Hours

Unless your employment contract specifically entails the responsibility to work overtime, your employer cannot terminate your work contract if you refuse to work extra hours. Whether you are expected to work extra hours on short notice, or you would like to spend your time off relaxing, employers are required by law to practice fairness when it comes to overtime.

In addition, federal overtime provisions enforce fair labor standards. These standards dictate that employees must receive overtime pay for any hours exceeding forty per week. Reasonable overtime rates must not be at least one and a half of their regular hourly pay rate.

If you have been unlawfully let go from your job role, an employment lawyer can seek compensation, re-employment, or reinstatement of your contract. Reinstatement refers to continuing your job role as though you were never dismissed, while re-employment means you will start a new job role with the same company.