Fired for Going Through a Divorce?

SAN DIEGO DIVORCE LAWYERS

Fired for Going Through a Divorce?

fired divorce

The New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that workers going through a divorce or separation cannot be discriminated against by their employers. The Court made their ruling known in late June.

Reason for the Decision

The Court’s decision stems from a case involving a man who was fired from his director of operations position with a rescue squad in 2006. Also working for the squad was the man’s then-wife, his mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law.

After the man admitted to having an affair with a squad volunteer, he and his wife decided to divorce.

Fearing that the divorce could turn “ugly,” a supervisor notified the squad’s board, which decided to terminate the man. In their letter of termination, though, the board cited a poor job performance rather than the divorce.

After a trial court dismissed the man’s original case for wrongful termination, New Jersey’s appeals court reversed the ruling – sending it to the state Supreme Court.

While the Supreme Court’s decision does not exclude disciplinary actions for divorcing workers who cause disruption in the workplace, it does mean that they cannot be fired simply because they are divorcing.

Wrongful Termination in California

California is an “at-will” state, meaning that an employer can dismiss you at any time, with or without cause. There are, however, exceptions that prevent termination based upon:

  • Discrimination
  • Taking part in union activity
  • Refusing to carry out work that violates the law

If you feel that you’ve been wrongfully terminated, one of the keys to winning your case is keeping copies of any communications – letters, phone logs, etc. – between you and your former employer. It’s also helpful to keep copies of performance evaluations and employee handbooks.

Call The Men’s Legal Center if You’re Facing Divorce

Here at The Men’s Legal Center, our mission is simple: to ensure that men get a fair shake in all aspects of their divorce.

If you’re thinking of divorce or are already going through the process, call us at 866-636-7534 or send an email.

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