{"id":394322,"date":"2026-03-23T07:36:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T12:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=394322"},"modified":"2026-03-23T08:23:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T13:23:07","slug":"california-wrongful-termination-claims","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-wrongful-termination-claims.html","title":{"rendered":"California Wrongful Termination Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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California Wrongful Termination Claims<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Carol Clasby, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Wrongful termination occurs when a California<\/span> employer<\/span> fires<\/span> an employee for an illegal reason<\/span> that violates state or federal law<\/span>. Even though California<\/span> is an at-will<\/span> employment<\/span> state, employers cannot terminate workers for unlawful reasons<\/span> such as discrimination, retaliation, violating public policy, or breaching an employment contract<\/span>. Employees who experience wrongful termination may pursue legal claims and recover damages including lost wages<\/span>, emotional distress<\/span>, and punitive damages<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

California<\/span> is an at-will<\/span> employment<\/span> state. In general, this means an employee can quit or resign for any reason. It also means an employer can fire or terminate an employee for any lawful reason. An employer who fires someone for an unlawful reason<\/span> may be liable to the employee for wrongful termination.<\/p>\n

With some of the strongest employee protections in the nation, California<\/span> workers have several legal options for wrongful termination and different types of damages available, depending on the type of claim<\/span> pursued. The employer’s consequences for violating the law can be severe.<\/p>\n

This article explores the various wrongful termination laws<\/span> in place that protect California<\/span> workers. If you think you may have suffered an unlawful termination<\/span>, consider reaching out to a California<\/span> wrongful termination<\/span> lawyer<\/span><\/a> for legal advice<\/span>.<\/p>\n

What Is Wrongful Termination?<\/h2>\n

No matter what it’s called\u2014getting fired, terminated, downsized, or laid off\u2014losing your job can be upsetting. Although it can be an emotional time, distinguishing between what is illegal and what feels unfair is important.<\/p>\n

Employers must follow federal and state wrongful termination laws<\/span>. When an employer fires<\/span> an employee for a reason that violates state or federal labor laws<\/span>, it is known as wrongful termination<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Regardless of California<\/span>‘s status as an at-will employment<\/span> state<\/u><\/a>\u200b, employers cannot fire employees for unlawful reasons<\/span>. Those who do may face a wrongful termination lawsuit<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Wrongful termination occurs when an employer terminates an employee for an <\/b>illegal reason<\/span><\/u><\/a>. The burden of proof for a wrongful termination claim<\/span> is on the employee. In other words, the employee must show that the termination was based on an illegal reason<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Wrongful termination covers things like:<\/p>\n