Statute of Limitations on Unfair Firing

Being fired can be a painful experience that adversely affects your life, and is only exacerbated by it being done unfairly. Learn about the statute of limitations on unfair firing to rectify the situation.

Wrongful Termination

• Unfair firing, also known as wrongful termination or wrongful dismissal, is the act of an employer firing an employee in a way that violates a contract of employment. In the absence of a formal contract, this can also be a breach of local laws that are in place as a result of the employment relationship. Therefore, the terms of employment that were violated can vary between jurisdictions and specific contracts.

Statute of Limitations

• Also known as "prescriptive periods" or "periods of prescription," the statute of limitations is the maximum time after an event that legal action may be taken.

Claims

• Claims for wrongful termination must be submitted to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and have a strict statute of limitations. The time constraint is typically 180 days from the date of termination, or 300 days for violations against state or federal civil rights. This is a fairly short limitation, so it is advisable to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible if you believe you are the victim of unfair firing.