Our job is a fundamental part of who we are and how we live our lives. In Los Angeles, many people work for media and entertainment companies like NBC Universal. This mass media conglomerate owes its success to countless workers who perform a wide variety of tasks and duties. And just like any other company, there may be instances where someone needs to be fired. However, terminations – even in at-will employment states like California – cannot violate employment laws regarding discrimination and retaliation. Some workers also have contracts that stipulate how and when terminations can happen, and this is another form of protection for employees.
Were you recently fired by NBC Universal or one of the many companies they own? Do you believe that your termination was illegal, meaning your employer broke the law or an existing employment contract? If so, contact the legal team of California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group immediately. Being jobless is bad enough on its own, but knowing that your rights were violated is the ultimate injustice. Let the NBC Universal wrongful termination lawyers at our office help you take control of an unfair situation and obtain compensation for your monetary losses.
Can I Sue NBC Universal for Wrongful Termination?
If you can prove that your termination by NBC Universal was wrongful, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit and ask for lost wages, loss of job benefits, and other monetary damages. Proving a wrongful termination case can be very complicated, as most employers will not admit that they are firing you for an unlawful reason.
For example, let’s say you were dealing with sexual harassment from a supervisor, and this went on for weeks, even though you made it clear that you were not comfortable with their comments, advances, etc. You decide to file an HR complaint, which is perfectly within your employment rights. Unfortunately, the company does little to nothing to hold the offender accountable. Weeks later, you are fired from your job, and chances are, it was a form or retaliation for calling out your supervisor.
Though you may have what it takes to file a wrongful termination lawsuit, there are steps you must take before you can sue NBC Universal. Keep reading for more information on how to initiate an employment claim for illegal termination.
Filing a Workplace Discrimination / Retaliation Complaint
First and foremost, workers who are facing discriminatory treatment by their employer must file a complaint with one of two labor agencies before they can file a lawsuit:
- The state of California’s Civil Rights Department (CRD)
- La Comisión de Igualdad de Oportunidades en el Empleo (EEOC) de EE. UU.
According to state and federal laws, employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees because of a protected characteristic, like gender, age, race, religion, pregnancy, or disability. There are many anti-discrimination laws that protect workers, and these include Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
It’s important to be aware of these laws, because most cases of wrongful termination don’t just happen out of the blue. Workers are generally subjected to a period of unfair treatment, whether it be harassment or denial of benefits / privileges that are available to everyone else. Some people stay quiet and take the abuse because they are desperate to keep their job. Others will go to Human Resources and complain about the behavior.
Either way, there’s a good possibility that the worker will eventually lose their job. Or, the psychological damage from exposure to a hostile work environment will force them to resign. This, by the way, is a form of wrongful termination known as constructive discharge. Essentially, this is a roundabout way for employers to drive someone out and avoid the penalties that come with outright termination.
But let’s go back to the process of filing a complaint with the EEOC or the CRD. The legal violation by your employer is the determining factor for which agency you should contact (is the termination based on a violation of state or federal law). Of course, it’s possible that your employer violated multiple laws at the state and federal level, so help from a California wrongful termination lawyer is highly recommended.
Once the agency receives your complaint, there will be an investigation to determine if your allegations have merit. If the EEOC or CRD finds that a case of wrongful termination has occurred, they may penalize the employer and order policy changes to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Alternatively, you will receive what is known as a Right to Sue letter. This is how the agency in charge of your complaint provides you with the right to sue your employer.
If you plan on moving forth with a lawsuit, legal representation is essential to navigating the legal system and securing payment from your employer. If you have a lawyer who is assisting you with an employment claim, the groundwork is already established for a lawsuit, so the transition to suing for wrongful termination will be that much easier.
How to Hire a Wrongful Termination Lawyer for $0
When you are no longer receiving a steady paycheck, there are many things you worry about, like how to cover your bills and pay for any unexpected emergencies. With that in mind, hiring a lawyer seems impossible, even though you know it’s the best way to succeed in a lawsuit for wrongful termination.
As someone who was subjected to unlawful treatment by NBC Universal, we want to provide you with high quality representation for $0 upfront. We do this through a policy known as the Zero Fee Guarantee. From day one, we agree to take your case on contingency and bill the cost of legal representation to the defendant. As long as the case is settled in your favor, NBC Universal includes attorney’s fees in your compensation check. If you do not get paid from a wrongful termination claim, you owe us absolutely nothing.
The legal process begins with a free consultation, which you can schedule by reaching out to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our employment experts also provide free second opinions on existing cases, meaning even if you have an attorney, we are available if you have any questions or concerns. In short, we are with you every step of the way if you need justice after an unlawful termination.
