Whether you worked for Amazon for a few months or several years, no one likes the idea of losing their job, especially in this economy where living costs are through the roof. Unfortunately, California’s at-will employment system allows employers to fire an employee at any time, for any reason – with some notable exceptions. For example, you may have a work contract that dictates the terms under which you can be fired. You are also protected by state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace. So, if you were terminated based on discriminatory reasons or some other issue that violated your employment rights, is there anything you can do to hold Amazon accountable?
If you are wondering about your rights as a wrongfully terminated employee, it’s essential to speak with a California employment lawyer as soon as possible. You may have the option of suing Amazon and obtaining lost wages, benefits, pain and suffering, and other forms of compensation. The key is to gather evidence and file the necessary paperwork in a timely manner, which we can assist you with here at California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group.
¿Qué es el despido injustificado?
Wrongful termination isn’t something most of us think about until we are fired under suspicious circumstances. At that point, you may find yourself asking, “Was I fired illegally? How can I tell if I was wrongfully terminated by Amazon?”
For a termination to be wrongful, your employer must have committed a legal violation, like firing you as retaliation for exercising your employment rights. You can also lose your job with Amazon on the basis of discrimination against a protected characteristic, like age, race, medical condition, gender, and religious beliefs. Terminating someone’s employment or subjecting them to other negative employment decisions (demotion, reduced hours / pay, etc.) on the basis of discrimination is against the law under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Workers in California are also protected from wrongful termination under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).
These are just two of the laws that protect you and other workers from unfair treatment by Amazon, including illegal termination. If you suspect that Amazon broke the law when they fired you, keep reading to learn about the actions you can take.
Filing an EEOC or DFEH Claim after a Wrongful Termination
What can you do when you are experiencing issues like discrimination, harassment, denial of work opportunities, and termination as an Amazon employee? In these situations, you can file a complaint against your employer with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which is a federal agency that enforces employment laws. At the state level, you can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Department if your termination is rooted in discriminatory practices. Alternatively, you may need to contact the National Labor Relations Board or the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, depending on why you lost your job with Amazon.
These agencies will review your claim and supporting evidence and conduct an investigation to see if there was a violation of your rights as a California employee. The agency handling your claim may issue penalties for your employer, or they may give you permission to file a lawsuit for wrongful termination.
Suing Amazon for Wrongful Termination
In the previous section, we talked about your right to file a labor law violation claim with either the EEOC of an agency operated by the State of California. An Amazon wrongful termination attorney can help you file a claim with the appropriate agency and put together a solid case with extensive evidence.
After an investigation of your claim by a federal or state labor law agency, you may receive a Right to Sue letter. You can only proceed with a lawsuit if you receive this documentation from the EEOC, or a state agency, like the California Civil Rights Department. If you are interested in filing an Amazon wrongful termination lawsuit, make sure to work with a lawyer that specializes in discrimination, unpaid wages, whistleblower retaliation, and other illegal conduct by an employer.
Deadlines for a Wrongful Termination
Clearly, you have the right to seek justice for a wrongful termination by Amazon, but employment cases involve multiple steps with various deadlines that you need to be aware of. The amount of time you have for a legal case, whether it’s filing an employment agency claim or filing a lawsuit, is known as the statute of limitations. If you are past the statutory deadline, you will lose the right to go after Amazon and receive the compensation you need and deserve.
Time limits that apply to your rights as a wrongfully terminated Amazon employee include:
- 300 days from the date of violation by your employer to file a wrongful termination claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- One year from the date of wrongful termination to submit a claim with the California Civil Rights Department.
- 90 days to file a wrongful termination lawsuit against Amazon from when you are given the right to sue by the EEOC.
- 1 year to file an Amazon wrongful termination lawsuit from the date of receiving a Right to Sue letter from the CRD.
There may be circumstances that will shorten or lengthen the amount of time you have for a wrongful termination claim. To ensure you are going by the correct deadline, make sure to confirm the statute of limitations with an Amazon wrongful termination lawyer.
Póngase en contacto con nuestra firma de abogados hoy
You put in considerable time and effort on behalf of your employer, and you expect fair and respectful treatment in return. In reality, many employers try to take advantage of their workers and find ways to get around the laws that prohibit wrongful termination and other illegal employment practices.
California Labor Law Employment Attorneys Group is here to fight for the rights of Amazon workers who are fired unlawfully. Our commitment to you includes free legal services under the Zero Fee Guarantee. All legal expenses are billed to Amazon as part of the settlement you are owed from a wrongful termination lawsuit. Either we win your case and receive attorney’s fees from Amazon, or we make nothing at all.
Now is the time to explore your rights with an Amazon wrongful termination attorney and take back control from an unjust employer. Please contact our office and schedule a free case evaluation.
