Legal Question in Employment Law in California
wrongful termination?/ defamation of character?
I was recently terminated from my employment after over a year of service. I was advanced very quickly and have even received correspondance from this company's headquarters in Michigan regarding my ''exceptional performance.'' Last week I was summoned to the district office I work for and interviewed in regards to a claim that my manager had violated company policies. I answered all of the questions with the truth to the best of my knowledge; I was not really involved in the incident mentioned in the complaint and do not know much information pertaining to it. I was terminated as a result of this interview. An anonymous,(to me), email was sent to my district manager ordering my termination stating that i lied in my interview. I told the whole truth as far as I know. Can they really just fire me based on this? Is the fact that the company has broadcast my name in conjunction with being a liar really lawful? They have no proof of any dishonesty on my part; their decision was based solely on the statements of another employee who has also since been terminated for ''lying.''
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: wrongful termination?/ defamation of character?
You may well have a case for both wrongful termination and defamation of character. I recommend that you consult an attorney in your locality that specializes in employment law. That attorney should be willing to sit down with you and explore the facts of your particular case in some detail, then provide you with a reasonable assessment of the merits of your case and the probabilty of successfully instigating litigation. This preliminary assessment should be offered without charge to you.