Most employment in Indiana considered to be "at-will". This means that either the employer or employee can terminate the employment at any given moment, and for any reason. The only exception to this are reasons that the law has specifically outlined as impermissible to use as a basis for employee termination.

Employment arrangements that do not qualify as "at will" are not subject to the same limitations and restrictions, so it is important that you know how your work setup is classified. Work arrangements that are based on an employment contract are often not "at will", and so they cannot be terminated except according to the contract provisions.

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

The most common illegal ground for terminating an Indiana employee is discrimination. An employer cannot terminate an employee simply for being of a specific race, nationality, religion or gender. Lake Station employers are further prohibited from firing at-will employees in order to retaliate against them for filing a legal discrimination claim or initiating an investigation of discrimination.

Further, 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 are prevented from firing an employee because they have exercised a legal right, performed a legal obligation, or have refused to do something that is illegal.

Do I Need a Indiana Attorney for My Wrongful Termination Case?

Attorneys in Lake Station, Indiana may be able to inform you as to whether a wrongful termination has occurred, and can assist you in collecting the required documents for your case. There may also be unique or unfamiliar procedures, and an attorney can guide you through these as well.