Employment in the state of Ohio 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 time. In "at will" employment, the only general exception is that the reasons for termination must not be illegal or in violation of the law.

Employment that is not considered "at will" is not subject to the same restrictions, however, and so it is important to discover whether your employment is so classified. If an employment contract specifying a time for employment is involved for your work arrangements, 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 Ohio?

Discrimination is the most common illegal grounds for terminating an employee in Ohio. Employers are not allowed to terminate an employee because of their race, religion, nationality, or gender. An employer in Canal Winchester 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, the Family and Medical leave act prohibits employers from firing employees for having taken leave for family or medical reasons. Finally, employers may not fire workers who exercise their legal rights, perform a legal obligation, or refuse to commit an illegal act.

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

Attorneys in Canal Winchester, Ohio 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.