Wrongful Termination

Constructive Wrongful Termination

Constructive wrongful termination occurs when your employer makes working conditions so intolerable that you are forced to resign. This can include ongoing harassment, retaliation, unsafe working conditions, drastic pay cuts, demotions, or repeated violations of your rights that your employer refuses to fix. Even though you technically “quit,” the law may treat the resignation as a termination if you were left with no reasonable choice. These claims are difficult to prove; you must show that you made a sincere effort to preserve the employment relationship, and that despite your best efforts, any reasonable person would have also felt forced to resign. Employers often try to avoid liability by pushing workers out instead of firing them outright. California law does not allow employers to escape responsibility this way. Attorney Ryan’s team helps workers prove constructive wrongful termination and hold employers accountable for forcing them out of their jobs.

Unemployment Claims

Unemployment claims allow workers to receive temporary income when they lose their job through no fault of their own. In California, you may qualify for unemployment benefits if you were laid off, your hours were reduced, or you were forced to quit for a legally recognized reason. Employers often try to block unemployment by claiming misconduct or voluntary resignation, even when those claims are not true. You have the right to apply for benefits and to appeal a denial. Employers are not allowed to retaliate against you for filing an unemployment claim or participating in the process. Attorney Ryan’s team helps workers challenge improper denials and protect their right to unemployment benefits.

WARN Act Violation

WARN Act violations occur when an employer fails to give workers advance notice of a mass layoff, plant closure, or major relocation. California’s WARN Act requires covered employers to provide at least 60 days’ written notice to affected employees, as well as to state and local government agencies. These protections apply even when employers claim layoffs are due to restructuring, economic conditions, or sudden business decisions. When notice is not given, workers may be entitled to back pay, benefits, and civil penalties for each day of violation. Employers often try to avoid WARN obligations by staggering layoffs or mischaracterizing terminations. California law does not allow employers to sidestep notice requirements this way. Attorney Ryan’s team protects workers impacted by unlawful layoffs.

Wrongful Removal from Schedule

Wrongful removal from the schedule occurs when your employer cuts your shifts or stops scheduling you for unlawful reasons, even if you are not formally fired. This can happen after you report harassment, request accommodations, take protected leave, or assert your workplace rights. Employers sometimes use scheduling cuts to pressure you to quit or to punish you without officially terminating your employment. The law protects you from having your hours reduced as retaliation or because of a protected characteristic. A workers’ rights lawyer can help determine whether being taken off the schedule amounts to illegal retaliation or a constructive termination. Our firm is led by Attorney Ryan, a well-known advocate for workers’ rights, who represents employees who have been unlawfully removed from the schedule and helps them protect their livelihood.

Wrongful Termination

Wrongful termination occurs when your employer fires you for an illegal reason, even if your job was labeled “at-will.” This can include being terminated for reporting misconduct, requesting medical or family leave, asking for accommodations, refusing to break the law, or because of a protected characteristic such as age, disability, pregnancy, or sex. Employers often claim the termination was about “performance” or “restructuring,” even when the real reason was unlawful. The law protects you from being fired for asserting your workplace rights or engaging in legally protected activity. A workers’ rights lawyer can help you determine whether your termination was legal and whether your employer’s explanation holds up. Our firm is led by Attorney Ryan, who represents employees who have been wrongfully terminated and helps them hold employers accountable.