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 not falling in the "at will" category is subject to different limitations and requirements, so you should be sure to know the classification of your work setup. 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?

Discrimination is the most common unlawful grounds for terminating an employee in New York. Employers are not allowed to terminate an employee because of their race, religion, nationality, or gender. An employer in Wading River 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.

Additionally, employers are prohibited by the Family and Medical Leave act from firing those employees who take leave in order to address family or medical concerns. 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 Wading River, 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.