Legal Question in Employment Law in California

Wrongful termination

I was hired by a company thru a recruiting company as a temp to hire. As per my contract I would be under the recruiting company and then would be hired on as an employee of the company. I worked there for 2 months. During this time all I got was my project manager and supervisor telling me how great I was doing. And everytime I'd ask a question or ask for help from my project manager he'd tell me not to worry, that I was doing great. So on friday we had a meeting where once again I was told how great I was doing, and I was actually ahead of schedule. At 5pm that same day as I was going home, I got a call from my recruiter saying that the company was letting me go, because of a error on a drawing. I was completely confused, my project manager is supposed to look over my drawings before turning anything in, and I had only been working for this company for 2 months, and they knew I had no experience in this specific area when they hired me. HR could not give me any details on what happend, and my supervisor had gone on vacation. He is now back I have called a few times and left messages, and nothing from him. I went to the company to try and talk to him, and he says he's in a meeting. Were there any laws broken?


Asked on 5/31/07, 4:05 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Kirschbaum Law Offices of Michael R. Kirschbaum

Re: Wrongful termination

It appears someone was not being honest with you. But you can't sue an employer for being dishonest. You cite no evidence to give any reason to believe any laws were broken. Unless you were dismissed for an unlawful reason, it must be assumed you were terminated at the will of the employer, which is legal.

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Answered on 5/31/07, 4:14 pm
Marco Cosentino Law Office of Mark J. Leonardo

Re: Wrongful termination

The answer is, "probably not."

However, you mention your "contract." It is impossible to say, without reviewing the contract, whether or not any contractual provisions were broken.

If there were no contractual provisions broken, then you probably have no case, as California is an "at will" state, meaning you can be terminated with or without a reason.

Another "however": even though California is an "at will" state, you still can't be fired for an illegal reason. If you think you were fired because you are a member of a "protected class"; i.e., because of your race, sex, national origin, religion, etc., then you may have a case. Also, if you were fired in retaliation for complaining about discrimination, harassment or illegal activity, you may have a case.

If you have any additional facts that you think are important, feel free to contact me.

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Answered on 5/31/07, 4:18 pm


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