COVID-19 has taken the world by storm and drastically changed the modern economic landscape. Millions of hard workers have been fired or laid off, but not every termination has been justified. Although we are amid a global pandemic, pre-COVID-19 employment rules and regulations still apply. To help you determine whether or not you should reach out to a qualified employment attorney, check out these key points about employment discrimination during Covid-19.
What Can You Be Fired For?
While COVID-19 may complicate employment matters to some extent, you can legally be terminated for the same things as before the pandemic. Many business owners’ wallets have been hit hard by the pandemic and the ensuing restrictions and rules in reaction to it, so they may not be able to afford your wages or salary. If they can’t afford you or simply don’t think that employing you will be profitable, then they can legally terminate you. Furthermore, if you fail to perform your duties properly or show up to work, then your employer can fire you without any repercussions. Texas is an at-will employment state, so your employers can fire you for any non-discriminatory reason unless you have a contract that states otherwise.
What Can’t You Be Fired For?
Your race, religion, national origin, disability, or other protected class status are not legal grounds for termination. In the wake of COVID-19, discrimination of people of Asian heritage or nationality has skyrocketed. Unfortunately, many people who appear to have Asian heritage, nationality, or physical characteristics have faced termination, discrimination, violence, and cruelty due to common misperceptions about the virus’s origins and conception. This is not ok. If you think that you’ve been terminated or treated unjustly due to your Asian heritage or other protected class status, then you need to contact Daniel Williams & Associates as soon as possible. Our Houston employment lawyer can help you gather facts, build a case, and get the compensation that you deserve.
On top of your protected class status, you also can’t be fired for following the law or reporting any wrongdoing. If your area is subject to a stay-at-home mandate, then your employer cannot legally require you to go to work, and they cannot fire you for not arriving. Furthermore, your employer cannot retaliate against you for reporting any wrongdoing to the authorities. Many employers willfully break local mask and social distancing mandates. While they may try to threaten you or retaliate against you, it’s your right to report them to the proper authorities. If you’ve been fired for speaking up and doing the right thing, then you have been wrongfully terminated, and you should quickly reach out to an experienced Houston employment lawyer.
Why Hire a Lawyer?
You may be tempted to sue your employers on your own, but that’s not a good idea. Your former likely have more resources at their disposal, and they will do anything to suppress your claims. Furthermore, the legal system can be very complicated, so it’s easy to misfile paperwork or miss an important detail, potentially derailing your case. For these reasons, it’s vital to reach out to a reputable law office. A skilled employment attorney knows how to build your case in a way that will maximize your chances of success. You deserve a large settlement, and that’s most achievable with a skilled employment attorney from Daniel Williams & Associates on your side.