Most employment in Louisiana 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 basic exception in "at-will" employment arrangements is that the termination may not be done for reasons which violate the law.

It is important that you find out what type of employment your work is classified as, because employment that is not considered to be "at will" is subject to different restrictions. Arrangements for employment that are under a set term contract are not "at will", and may only be terminated according to the clauses contained in the agreement.

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

The most common illegal ground for terminating a Louisiana employee is discrimination. An employer cannot terminate an employee simply for being of a specific race, nationality, religion or gender. An employer in Plaquemine also cannot fire at-will employees in retaliation for the employee filing a claim for discrimination or initiating an investigation of discrimination against the employer.

Moreover, according to the Family and Medical leave, employers are prohibited from firing employees who take leave for family or medical purposes. 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 Louisiana Attorney for My Wrongful Termination Case?

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