Florida workers do not necessarily have a right to know why a company fires them. Terminations can be for cause, meaning that behavioral issues or problems with their job performance led to their termination. Companies can also terminate workers simply to increase the company’s profitability.
Workers who suddenly lose their job often feel wronged. They may insist that the company violated their rights by performing a wrongful termination. Even when employers provide documented reasons for terminating a worker, the employee may insist the explanation is a pretext covering up a discriminatory or retaliatory firing.
What happens when former employees insist that a company broke the law and violated their rights?
Businesses must be ready to respond
The burden of proof is technically on the employee alleging that a wrongful termination occurred. They must show the courts that a preponderance of the available evidence supports their claim that the firing was the result of the company retaliating or discriminating against them. Many times, the only evidence they have to support that claim is the timing of their termination or their unique, protected characteristics.
Employers who retain performance reviews, attendance records and other documentation about a worker’s employment history can fight the claim that the explanation for the termination was merely pretext. The employer’s attorney can provide the courts with evidence that the firing stemmed from financially-based decisions or issues with the employee’s job performance.
Businesses facing wrongful termination lawsuits often need support while analyzing the situation and collecting evidence to convince the courts the termination was lawful. Keeping thorough records of performance reviews, individual attendance and other key details can potentially exonerate an employer accused of violating the rights of workers.