Wrongful Termination in Nebraska
What Is Wrongful Termination?
While an employer does have discretion over the hiring and firing of employees, there are certain circumstances where a worker can file for wrongful termination. Termination becomes wrongful when it violates Nebraska law, federal law, or an employment agreement. Being fired from a job is never easy. A dedicated wrongful termination lawyer understands your rights as an employee and will fight to protect them.
According to the Nebraska Department of Labor, Nebraska is an employment-at-will state. However, termination cannot occur for a reason that violates state or federal law. Statutory exceptions include discrimination, public policy, and federal leave laws. Additionally, at-will does not apply if there is an employment contract or collective bargaining agreement. Furthermore, the National Conference of State Legislatures reports that Nebraska also recognizes the implied contract exception to at-will employment.
Types Of Wrongful Termination
In Nebraska, there are many different instances where wrongful termination can take place. In some cases, an employer is ignorant of labor laws and may not even realize they have erred. This is why big corporations rely on human resources experts. You should always turn to an attorney if you suspect you have been wrongfully terminated. In the following paragraphs are some of the red flags that you should watch out for.
Limitations of At-Will Employment
Because one of the most common forms of employment is at-will, there are limitations to this. At-will employment doesn’t allow an employer to fire a person for any discriminatory reason. Nebraska state, federal, or local laws prohibit these reasons.
Nebraska was one of the first states to enact right-to-work legislation. Under Nebraska law, employers and unions cannot enter into contracts making union (non)membership a condition of employment. In fact, it is a misdemeanor offense to use union membership as a mandatory criterion of employment.
An employer also can’t fire an employee as a form of retaliation for reporting any illegal activities within the company. Were you fired for any of these reasons? If so, you may be able to file a wrongful termination lawsuit against your employer.
Discrimination
Discrimination is one of the most common forms of wrongful termination. When an employee is fired because of their race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, pregnancy, age, or disability, it violates established laws meant to protect specific personal characteristics. There are also some states that prohibit employers from discriminating based on the gender identity or the sexual orientation of their employees.
If you believe that you have been penalized or fired in Nebraska for one of these discriminatory reasons listed above, you may be able to file a claim with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. An experienced Nebraska attorney can walk you through the process to help ensure the best possible outcome.
Retaliation
Your employer can’t fire you for certain protected activities. For example, your employer can’t fire you for taking medical leave, or for participating in an investigation of job violations and wage violations. Additionally, filing a complaint with the EEOC, or informing your employer about discrimination or harassment, are not fireable offenses.
Nebraska’s State Government Effectiveness Act protects public employees who come forward with information about cases of gross inefficiency and misconduct in state government. Specifically, public employers cannot retaliate against a whistleblower’s actions by terminating or penalizing the employee. Additionally, Nebraska’s Fair Employment Practices Act provides similar protections to private-sector employees.
There are some states that also prevent employee termination for taking time off to vote, perform jury duties, or serve in the military. You also have some protection if your employer has fired you for reporting a violation of safety laws or environmental regulations.
What To Do If You’ve Been Wrongfully Terminated in Nebraska
Are you suffering from wrongful termination? You may be entitled to compensatory damages, reinstatement, back pay, and other forms of relief. However, the exact definition of wrongful termination will depend on where you live. To find out, contact a dedicated and qualified wrongful termination lawyer. Discuss your circumstances and the Nebraska laws that your employer has to follow in your area.
Acting promptly is crucial when filing a claim, as strict deadlines often apply. Delaying could result in lost evidence or a missed filing window, both of which can jeopardize your case. To give yourself the best chance of a favorable outcome, start gathering information and taking action as soon as possible—even if you’re still unsure about the strength of your claim.
In Nebraska, the Equal Opportunity Commission (NEOC) is responsible for enforcing the state’s anti-discrimination policies. If you’re filing an employment discrimination charge, you must do so within 300 days of the incident that caused harm.
Step One: Gather Evidence
It’s important to start gathering all the evidence you can, no matter how small. Ideally, you had reason to suspect that your employer might terminate you wrongfully and started the process sometime before. If you need to return to the office to clear out your desk or still have access to the work email, use the opportunity wisely. However, be mindful of any employment agreements or confidentiality issues.
Step Two: Find an Attorney
Hiring an experienced Nebraska wrongful termination lawyer will help you take the first steps so that you make a strong case to get the outcome you seek. Nebraska employment laws are intricate and are constantly changing. Therefore, you should always work with an attorney who focuses on this specific area.
Step Three: File a Complaint
If you have not yet had your case reviewed by an attorney, the EEOC built a self-evaluation tool to help you decide if filing a claim with them is an appropriate way to handle your case. An attorney simplifies this part of the process by helping you to write the complaint. You serve your employer notice. Then, the resolution process starts there. Note that not all cases make it to a courtroom as some employers prefer to settle.
To file a charge, your first step is to contact the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission (NEOC). You can do this in person at one of the three offices. There are locations in Lincoln, Omaha, and Scottsbluff. Alternatively, you can fill out the inquiry form online. After filing the charge, the remaining steps include serving the charge, mediation, and investigation. The case will then be up for determination, a possible conciliation, and a final public hearing.
If you file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Kansas City Area Office handles complaints in Nebraska. The Kansas City Area Office is under the jurisdiction of the St. Louis District Office.
Why You Should Hire a Wrongful Termination Lawyer
Filing a wrongful termination lawsuit in Nebraska can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve been treated unfairly by your employer. Speaking to an experienced lawyer can help you to understand what legal rights you have as a victim and if your case is applicable for wrongful termination. For some people, the opportunity to have someone listen helps to ease the burden they’ve been carrying.
We understand that finding the right attorney can be hard. This is why we created our service to connect clients in need with experienced Nebraska attorneys. To match with the right lawyer, you simply provide your location, category, and some other additional information. We then send you your options as soon as they are available.
Our company charges no fees to connect you with the legal services you need. Some Nebraska attorneys or practice areas may require legal fees upfront, but there are many that do not. Some professionals may not charge a single penny at all until they win your case.
Are you ready to find a qualified Nebraska attorney who can help you fight for your job or get justice for the wrongful termination you suffered? We can even help you connect with an attorney across Nebraska state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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