When you lose your job without expecting it, it can feel as though the ground has suddenly fallen away. The feeling is more than just a loss of income; it is a potentially a loss of identity, safety and security and self-worth.
When this kind of loss comes from a wrongful dismissal, a result of an unjustified, illegal firing, the emotional damage is even worse.
A wrongful dismissal lawyer in Toronto can clarify your rights, help you fill out your case and start you on the road to getting justice.
4 Real Examples of Wrongful Termination
Fired for Being Pregnant
You have just delivered the good news–you are pregnant. Instead of a congratulations, you receive a discharge letter. Unfortunately, some employers look at pregnancy as a burden. But when it comes to the law, we typically have a disagreement. Federal law and state law protect an employee from being terminated based on her pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. Therefore, if you are terminated after you have disclosed pregnancy or after your maternity leave, you may have a claim for wrongful termination.
Let Go for Union Involvement
You attend a union meeting or sign a union card, and suddenly, you’ve lost your job. This type of retaliation is far too common—and illegal. The National Labor Relations Act protects workers’ rights to join, support, or encourage joining/taking action in favor of a union, even if there is no union yet. Employers also cannot punish you from talking about wages or discussing working conditions and benefits with coworkers. This all could trigger an Unfair Labour Practice Complaint.
Fired for Taking Protected Time Off
You took time away to recover from illness, welcome a child, or serve your country. When you return, your job is gone—or worse, you’re fired mid-leave. That’s not only cruel-it’s illegal. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) covers unpaid leaves of absence for medical or family reasons, depending on whether you’re eligible. Federal law also protects military leaves and some parental leaves. Many states add even more protections. The law may be on your side if you followed proper leave procedures and still lost your job.
Terminated for Reporting Workplace Violations
You see unsafe equipment, report staff stealing wages, or call out a colleague’s harassment. Suddenly your schedule changes, your hours are cut, or you get fired. This is not discipline, it is retaliation. If your employer took punishment against you instead of correcting the wrongdoing, they may be breaking the law, and you may be entitled to remedies.
What to Do If You Have Been Wrongfully Terminated
If you believe your termination was unfair or illegal, the first step is to contact wrongful termination lawyer. It will also be useful to have prepared a timeline summarizing what happened. After this, you may also need to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – EEOC, or in some states, you can file with their state agency.
You should consult your wrongful termination lawyer before you file with the EEOC or similar agency. Your lawyer can assist you in formulating your complaint and making sure that everything you need to is contained in the complaint. After you have filed your complaint, the next step your attorney will take is to try to negotiate a settlement. If that fails, they can help you take your case to court.
Wrongful termination doesn’t just take away your job—it shakes your confidence. But you have rights, and you deserve justice. Don’t let silence be your response. Speak up. Seek help. Reclaim your voice—and your future.
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