Do you think your Florida employer might have fired you for the wrong reasons? Maybe you reported discrimination, took medical leave, or pushed back against something illegal at work. If your employer let you go soon after, that could be more than just bad timing. It might be a sign of wrongful termination.
You don’t have to guess whether what happened was legal. An experienced Florida wrongful termination lawyer can review the facts, explain your options, and help you take the next steps if you have a case.
Understanding Wrongful Termination in Florida
Florida is an at-will employment state. That means your employer can fire you for almost any reason or no reason at all. However, they can’t fire you for an illegal reason – something related to a protected characteristic or your efforts to do the right thing in a situation involving discrimination or unlawful behavior. For instance, they can’t fire you because of your race, gender, or age or because you reported fraud.
Federal and state law both protect workers from these kinds of firings. For example, laws like the Florida Civil Rights Act and Title VII prevent firings based on discrimination, while Florida laws and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) prevent firings as retaliation. If your employer went against one of these rules when they fired you, then it might have been a wrongful termination.
Were You Fired for Exercising Your Rights?
Employers cannot fire you for standing up for yourself. If you report workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, or unpaid wages, state and federal employment laws protect you from retaliation. This means your employer can’t fire you just because you spoke up.
You have a legal right to report problems at work. That includes filing complaints with HR, contacting state or federal agencies, or even just raising concerns directly with a manager. If your termination came soon after one of those actions, you might have a retaliation claim.
Timing matters. So do records and witnesses. A lawyer can help you determine whether you have a legal claim and identify supporting evidence.
Discrimination-Based Termination: Were You Treated Differently?
Your employer cannot fire you because of your race, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, or similar protected status. If they treat you differently from coworkers with the same job performance, and you fall into a protected category, that could signal discrimination. For example, if you got fired while others with the same conduct kept their jobs, and you’re the only person of your background in the group, that matters.
Federal law and the Florida Civil Rights Act both say employers must treat workers equally. If they don’t, and you lose your job because of it, you could have a discrimination claim.
Termination After Filing a Complaint or Whistleblowing
If you reported your employer for breaking the law and got fired soon after, that could be a wrongful termination. Florida protects both public and private employees from this kind of retaliation. For example, if you tell a government agency about unsafe work conditions, fraud, or legal violations, the law might protect you. Even if you only reported misconduct to your manager, you still have rights.
Employers aren’t legally able to punish workers for doing the right thing. If your firing followed a complaint or report, a lawyer can help you find out whether whistleblower laws apply to your case.
Sudden Firing Without Cause or Violation of Company Policy
Getting fired out of nowhere might not always be illegal, but it can raise questions. If your employer normally follows a written process and skips it for you, that’s relevant. For example, if your company requires warnings or progressive discipline before firing, and you didn’t get that, your employer might have broken its own rules. Even in an at-will state like Florida, a firing that goes against clear company policy or your employment contract might support a claim.
Keep any handbooks, policies, or emails you received that outline company rules your employer might have broken. An attorney can review those documents to see whether your employer followed its own procedures or broke the rules.
Employer’s Changing Reasons for Firing You
If your employer keeps changing the reason for your termination, that could be a red flag. Maybe they first said it was poor performance, then said it was downsizing, then blamed something else. That kind of shifting story can make your case stronger. It can suggest the real reason for your firing wasn’t legitimate.
Courts and agencies take note when an employer can’t stick to one explanation. Inconsistent reasons could point to discrimination, retaliation, or other illegal motives. If this happened to you, write down everything your employer said. Your records could support a claim for wrongful termination.
Do I Have a Wrongful Termination Case? When to Take Action
Are you wondering, “Do I have a wrongful termination case?” Start by looking at the reason your employer gave for your firing and what happened before it. Ask yourself:
- Did I report something illegal?
- Did I take leave or file a complaint?
- Was I treated differently than coworkers?
- Did my employer ignore its own rules or change its story?
If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” your firing might have broken federal or Florida wrongful termination laws. Every case depends on the facts, so getting legal advice early can help you decide what to do.
When to Contact a Wrongful Termination Lawyer in Tallahassee
If you recognize one of these signs of wrongful termination in your firing, Cruz Law Firm, P.A. can help. Clients turn to us when they need experienced legal support and someone who will truly fight for them. Here’s what one former client had to say:
“Tiffany Cruz was great to work with on my employment case. She is extremely knowledgeable and a fierce advocate in fighting to make things right with my employer. Made me feel good to have someone like her on my side.” – Luis F.
If you suspect you were wrongfully terminated from your job, you need and deserve support from a dedicated wrongful termination lawyer in Tallahassee, Florida. The team at Cruz Law Firm, P.A. has nearly 20 years of combined legal experience and has recovered over $15 million for clients like you. Contact us now to arrange your initial consultation and learn how we can help you with a wrongful termination claim.
