In this video, Victoria Gutierrez, attorney at Goyette, Ruano & Thompson, explains the basics of wrongful termination in California. Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired for illegal reasons, even if the termination seems simply unfair at first glance. California is an “at-will” employment state, which means employers can terminate employees for almost any reason—except when it violates the law. Victoria covers the two main types of wrongful termination claims: contractual wrongful termination and wrongful termination in violation of public policy. Contractual wrongful termination happens when an employer breaches specific terms of an employment contract, such as terminating an employee before the contract period ends or without “good cause.” In California, “good cause” means the termination must be based on a legitimate business reason. Wrongful termination in violation of public policy, on the other hand, involves firing an employee for reasons that go against California law or public policy. Common examples include retaliating against an employee for reporting illegal activity in the workplace, such as unpaid wages, harassment, or discrimination based on protected characteristics like race, religion, or sexual orientation. Victoria highlights that there must be a clear connection between the employee’s protected activity (e.g., filing a complaint) and the termination. If an employer tries to mask the true reason for the termination by citing unrelated performance issues, this may still be grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit. If you believe you’ve been wrongfully terminated, Goyette, Ruano & Thompson can help assess your case. Contact us for a consultation to discuss your specific circumstances and determine if you have a viable legal claim. For more information on related topics, check out our other videos, including Victoria’s discussion on workplace discrimination.