Navigating Wrongful Termination Laws in Ohio: A Small Business Guide
What is Wrongful Termination?
Wrongful termination is a serious issue that small business owners in Ohio need to be aware of. In general, wrongful termination refers to when an employer terminates an employee’s employment in violation of state or federal law.
In Ohio, wrongful termination can occur in a variety of ways. For example, it can occur when an employer terminates an employee due to their race, gender, age, or disability. It can also occur when an employer terminates an employee in retaliation for reporting discrimination or harassment, or for taking time off for a protected reason (such as pregnancy or military service).
Illegality of Wrongful Termination
One of the most important things that small business owners in Ohio need to know about wrongful termination is that it is illegal. Employers are prohibited from terminating employees for discriminatory reasons, and they are also prohibited from retaliating against employees who report discrimination or harassment.
Taking Legal Action…
Another important thing to know is that employees who have been wrongfully terminated have the right to take legal action against their former employer. This can include filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or filing a lawsuit in state or federal court.
How to Avoid Wrongful Termination
In order to avoid wrongful termination claims, small business owners in Ohio should be aware of the state and federal laws that protect employees from discrimination and retaliation. They should also have policies and procedures in place to address discrimination and harassment, and they should train their managers and supervisors on how to handle these issues.
Additionally, small business owners should have clear and consistent procedures for terminating employees. This can include providing employees with clear performance standards, giving them the opportunity to improve their performance, and documenting any issues that lead to termination.
Another important thing to know is that small business owners can be held liable for the wrongful termination of an employee if they are found to be responsible for it. This can include both financial damages (such as lost wages and benefits) and non-financial damages (such as emotional distress).
Final thoughts…
In conclusion, wrongful termination is a serious issue that small business owners in Ohio need to be aware of. To avoid wrongful termination claims, they should be familiar with state and federal laws that protect employees from discrimination and retaliation, they should have policies and procedures in place to address discrimination and harassment, they should train their managers and supervisors on how to handle these issues, and they should have clear and consistent procedures for terminating employees. Contact the team at Brenden Kelly Law to learn more about how to protect your business from wrongful termination lawsuits.
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