Employment in the state of New York is mostly considered to be "at-will" employment. "At will" means that for any reason, both the employer or the worker may end the work relationship at any point. Essentially, the only limitation or exception in an "at will" employment is that the termination must not conflict with the law.

Employment that does not fall into the category of "at will" is not subject to the same restrictions. Thus, it is essential that you identify what type of employment arrangement you are involved in. If an employment contract specifying a time for employment is involved for your work agreement, then employment is not "at will", and termination can only be done following the terms of the contract.

What are the Illegal Grounds for Terminating At Will Employment in New York?

The most common illegal ground for terminating a New York employee is discrimination. An employer cannot terminate an employee simply for being of a specific race, nationality, religion or gender. A Huntington Station employer also is prohibited from terminating at-will employees as a form of retaliation if the worker has sought an investigation into discrimination or has filed a legal claim for discrimination against the employer.

Furthermore, the Family and Medical Leave act makes it illegal for employers to terminate any of their employees who have taken leave based upon family or medical needs. Finally, employers cannot terminate employees who are simply exercising a legal right, performing an obligation under law, or refusing to do an illegal act.

Do I Need a New York Attorney for My Wrongful Termination Case?

A local Huntington Station, New York attorney can better inform you about whether a wrongful termination has occurred, and will also help in collecting the appropriate documents for your case. There may also be unique procedures that an attorney can shepherd you through.