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. In general, employment that is subject to a set period employment contract is not considered to be "at will", and termination can only happen in accordance with procedures outlined in 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 also may not fire an at-will employee in retaliation for the employee starting an investigation into discrimination or filing a legal claim of discrimination against the Franklin County employer.

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 Ohio Attorney for My Wrongful Termination Case?

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