Is it legal to be terminated without a reason given?
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Is it legal to be terminated without a reason given?
I was terminated by a letter delivered to my office. No reason was given, just immediate termination. I was also discriminated against in my wages. My predecessor made over double what I made. He is male, I am female. If I want to sue for wrongful termination and discrimination will I have a case?
Asked on August 24, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Kentucky
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
First of all, unless required under the terms of a union agreement or employment contract, no reason need be given for an employee's termination; they can be fired for any reason or no reason at all (with or without notice). As for not being paid the same as a male co-worker, you may or may not have a claim. The fact is that not all employees need be treated the same unless their differing treatment is due solely to their race, religion, disability, age (over 40), national origin, etc.; this would also include gender. Therefore, if the difference in pay was only due to the fact that you are a woman, that would be illegal. If, however, your employer had other justification for a pay difference, then you may not have a claim. To be certain of your rights you can contact the EEOC or a local employment law attorney. After hearing all of the details of your situation, they can best advise you further.
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