Most employment is labeled as "at-will" in the state of West Virginia. This means that an employer or employee is free to end the work relationship at any point and leave the employment organization. The only exception to "at-will" employment is that the employment can not be terminated in a manner that breaks the law.

Employment that is not considered "at will" is not subject to the same restrictions, however, and so it is essential to discover whether your employment is so classified. 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 West Virginia?

Regarding terminating a West Virginia employee, discrimination is the most common illegal reason. An employer may not fire an employee just because they are of a specific race, religion, gender, or nationality. Huntington employers are further barred from firing at-will employees in order to retaliate against them for filing a legal discrimination claim or initiating an investigation of discrimination.

Furthermore, 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. Lastly, employers are prevented from terminating 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 West Virginia Attorney for My Wrongful Termination Case?

Attorneys in Huntington, West Virginia 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.