The International House of Pancakes, or IHOP, is a multinational chain of casual dining restaurants that specializes in breakfast foods. However, many of their locations are open 24 hours a day, or at least from 7 AM to 10 PM. As a result, IHOP employees work incredibly hard from sun up to sundown. Despite that fact, it’s no secret that restaurant staff members don’t always receive the best treatment from their employers. Many of them face discrimination and harassment, and even termination for reasons that are illegal according to state and federal laws.
Are you an IHOP employee who was discriminated against or wrongfully terminated? If so, you may have cause to file a lawsuit against the company, which can help you recover a variety of monetary damages. To learn about your legal rights and obtain justice from your former employer, contact our office to speak with an IHOP wrongful termination and discrimination lawyer.
What Counts as a Wrongful Termination?
California is an “at-will” employment state, which means that the working relationship can be terminated at any time by either the employer or the employee. However, there are certain protections in place that prevent workers from being fired as an act of discrimination or retaliation. What does this mean? In general, it means that employers cannot discriminate against an employee on the basis of a “protected characteristic” as defined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In addition, employers cannot retaliate against employees that engage in protected activities, like filing an HR complaint about an act of discrimination.
Below are some examples of wrongful termination based on discrimination and/or retaliation
- Discrimination based on a worker’s race, gender (or gender identity), age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or national identity
- Discrimination based on a physical / mental disability
- Unfair treatment / termination due to a worker’s status as a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence
- Active military or veteran status
- Termination due to a worker’s political affiliation and/or activities
- HIV or AIDS status
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding worker discrimination
- Retaliation against whistleblowers
- Retaliation for complaining about unsafe work conditions, wages and hours, or anything else related to their rights as an employee
- Forcing someone to quit, i.e., constructive termination, by creating a work situation that is intolerable to the point where the employee has no choice but to leave
We want to stress that this is not a complete list of all the possible situations involving a wrongful termination from IHOP. Many unlawful termination cases are much more complicated and merit further examination by an experienced labor law violation attorney. To learn about your legal options, call us right away to schedule free case evaluation.
Can I Sue for a Case of Wrongful Demotion / Suspension?
Yes, a lawsuit may be possible if you haven’t been fired, but it’s clear that you’re being discriminated or retaliated against. This usually happens in the form of demotions, pay cuts, suspensions, and other discriminatory actions. Employers often see this as a way to punish the employee without being accused of a wrongful termination. If this is a situation you are experiencing, please come and talk to us as soon as possible. Unfair treatment at work claims are very challenging, but we are more than ready to listen to your story and advise you of the legal actions that are available to you.
Statute of Limitations to Sue for Wrongful Termination
The statute of limitations to sue IHOP for wrongful termination depends on the type of claim you are filing. If, for example, the basis of your lawsuit is a breach of contract or public safety violation, you have 2 years from the date of termination to file your complaint. On the other hand, if you can prove that your employer committed a violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), your statute of limitations is 3 years.
This is important to know for California residents, as well as out-of-state IHOP employees who wish to file their lawsuit in California. Since IHOP’s headquarters is located in California, we can assist you with an out of state action, no matter where you are currently located. However, these cases require extensive investigation and evidence, so the key is to imitate a claim as soon as possible. Contact our office for a free case review with one of our attorneys.
Do you need a Second Opinion on an Existing Wrongful Termination Case?
Are you frustrated by how long it’s taking to settle your wrongful termination claim against IHOP? Do you feel skeptical about your attorney’s advice or their commitment to your case? If so, please come by and see us for a free second opinion. It’s important to act on your instincts if you’re unhappy with your lawyer. In some cases, a lawyer is doing everything they can on behalf of a client, but we’ve also come across plenty of red flags that indicate incompetence or lack of experience. Either way, we can provide you with legal options if you’re concerned about the way your case is being handled. If you’re interested in speaking with an employment law expert at our office, call us to schedule a free second opinion.
How much is a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Worth?
Determining what a wrongful termination lawsuit is worth is a complicated process, due to the many factors that are involved. The most important of these elements is the losses you’re entitled to as a result of being wrongfully terminated by IHOP. These losses include the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Lost income, including front pay and back pay, paid time off, health insurance, and other lost benefits.
- Damage to, or loss of your professional reputation
- Medical expenses if you developed health issues due to your wrongful termination, or from changes / loss of health insurance benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Cost of legal representation
- Punitive damages if the circumstances of your wrongful termination were especially outrageous.
The total sum of these damages (or whichever damages apply to your case) may be anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000. As there is such a wide range in settlement values, there’s really no way to provide an average number that would apply to these cases in general. To get an accurate sense of what you can recover from a wrongful termination lawsuit, please schedule a time to speak with one of our attorneys.
How long does it take to get Paid on these Cases?
The amount of time it takes to get paid on one of these cases varies considerably from claimant to claimant. One critical factor is whether your case can be settled by the appropriate state or federal agency, which is the first step in the lawsuit process. If your complaint cannot be settled by either of these agencies, you can file a lawsuit to seek the full range of damages you are entitled to. Based on the legal actions we will need to take, the process to recover your payment can take anywhere from a few weeks to one or more years.
Speak to a Los Angeles Labor Law Attorney
Losing a job can be devastating in itself, but it’s even worse when you know that you were fired for an unlawful reason. You may feel powerless against a corporate entity like IHOP, but justice is possible with help from the Employment Attorneys Group. If you believe that you were discriminated against or wrongfully terminated by IHOP, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and the settlement you deserve.
No matter where you are in the claims process, we are happy to offer a Zero fee guarantee in order to protect your finances. You pay nothing upfront to hire us, as all our fees are paid by IHOP along with your settlement. If we don’t recover your payment, you owe us nothing, since we don’t make a penny unless you do.
A wrongful termination lawsuit attorney is waiting to speak with you, so contact us at your earliest convenience.
