Wisconsin wrongful termination laws protect the rights of workers in the state. Technically, Wisconsin is an at-will employment state. That means an employer can fire a worker for virtually any reason and at virtually any time.
However, an employer can’t fire a worker for illegal reasons. If you believe your employer broke the law when they fired you, you may be able to file a complaint. Consider speaking with a lawyer to learn more about your legal options.
What Is The Wisconsin Fair Employment Act?
The Wisconsin Fair Employment Law (sometimes referred to was the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act) prohibits employers from discriminating against employees and job candidates on the basis of any of the following:
- Age
- Arrest record
- Conviction record
- Ancestry
- Color
- National origin
- Race
- Creed
- Disability
- Genetic testing
- “Honesty testing” (such as lie detector results)
- Marital status
- Military service
- Pregnancy or childbirth
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
- Use of illegal products (like drugs) off the premises of the employer during nonworking hours
Wisconsin wrongful termination laws ensure workers can take legal action if their employers fire them for any of the above. By taking legal action, you may seek compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and other such losses. Or, you might be able to seek reinstatement to a job you lost for illegal reasons.
What Other Laws Protect Wisconsin Workers From Wrongful Termination?
Wrongful termination laws in Wisconsin don’t merely consist of state laws. Various federal laws and acts also apply in Wisconsin. They include:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
- Whistleblower Protection Act
- Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Check your employment contract to see if it outlines situations in which an employer can and can’t fire you. You might also have grounds to take legal action if you can show an employer violated the terms of your contract.
Who Oversees the Wrongful Termination Laws in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Equal Rights Division is the state agency handling wrongful termination cases in Wisconsin. You may begin the process of holding an employer accountable by filing a complaint with the DWD online.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) plays a similar role at the federal level. Sometimes, state agencies file complaints with the EEOC simultaneously when individuals file wrongful termination complaints.
Check if the DWD will submit your complaint to the EEOC. If they won’t, you can file an EEOC complaint yourself.
Get in Touch With a Lawyer That Takes Wisconsin Wrongful Termination Claims
Proving wrongful termination in Wisconsin can be fairly complex. You need to gather evidence showing your employer fired you for illegal reasons. Proving someone’s motives is never a simple task.
Luckily, help is available. A Wisconsin wrongful termination lawyer could assist you in building a strong case. Learn more about what an attorney can do for you by taking the Free Case Evaluation today to speak with a lawyer who subscribes to the website and may be able to help with your case.
