If you are a victim of workplace wrongful termination in Kentucky, you may be able to pursue a claim against your employer. While Kentucky is an employment-at-will state, there are laws that offer protections. As an example, you cannot be fired for a discriminatory reason, and you cannot be fired because you reported discrimination or was a participant or a witness in another person’s workplace discrimination case. You cannot be fired for using your rights under certain statutes, such as filing a workers’ compensation claim, and you cannot be fired if it breaches your contract of employment.
What Are My Rights For Wrongful Termination In Kentucky?
Despite Kentucky being an at-will state, wrongful termination still happens. If you were terminated because it was an act of discrimination –sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, age, disability, or religion, get your claim underway with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If you suffered discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age - if forty (40) and older, because the person is a qualified individual with a disability, or because the individual is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with any workplace policy concerning smoking, then the Kentucky Civil Rights Act was violated and you can pursue a claim with the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights (KCHR).
Who Is Protected From Wrongful Termination In Kentucky?
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which is federal law, applies to employers with 15 or more workers. Kentucky state laws regarding discrimination apply to employers who have 8 or more workers in the state for 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding year. However, if it involves disability discrimination, the employer must have 15 or more employees. If your employment contract has been breached – as an example, your contract required you to be notified in advance of termination, or you must be told reason for termination and you were not, then that is applicable regardless of the number of workers your employer has. You should contact the appropriate office right away, such as the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights (KCHR) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If it was a breach of contract, speak with a lawyer.
Suing For Wrongful Termination In Kentucky
If you were wrongfully terminated from your job in Kentucky, you should act promptly. The statute of limitations is 180 days from the date of the discrimination or termination. You should contact the KCHR or EEOC, your union representative, or an employment law attorney to ensure that your claim is underway before time runs out.
In Conclusion
If you were wrongfully terminated from your job in Kentucky, you should consult with a wrongful termination lawyer who handles Kentucky employment law matters. Discuss payment options with our attorney because some lawyers take these claims on a contingency basis while others require a retainer and charge an hourly rate. Share the details of your Kentucky wrongful termination claim with an attorney by completing the Free Case Evaluation Form.
