In Ohio, most employment relationships are considered to be "at-will," meaning that either the employer or employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, as long as it is not illegal or in violation of public policy.
However, there are some exceptions to the at-will employment doctrine. For instance, if an employee has a written employment contract or collective bargaining agreement that specifies the reasons for which the employee can be terminated, and the employer violates those terms, the employee may have grounds for a breach of contract claim.
In addition, Ohio law prohibits employers from terminating employees for certain discriminatory or retaliatory reasons, such as race, age, sex, religion, national origin, or disability. For instance, if an employer terminates an employee because of his or her race, the employee may have a valid claim for discrimination under federal and state law.
If an employee believes that his or her termination was illegal, he or she may file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) within a certain time frame. These agencies will investigate the claim, and if they find evidence of discrimination or retaliation, they may file a lawsuit on the employee's behalf or issue a right-to-sue letter.
It is important to note that these claims can be difficult to prove, and it is advisable for employees to seek the help of an experienced employment lawyer to assess the strength of their claim and guide them through the legal process.
In summary, an employee in Ohio may have grounds to sue his or her employer for wrongful termination if the termination violates a written employment contract, collective bargaining agreement, or is based on illegal discrimination or retaliation. If an employee suspects that his or her termination was illegal, he or she should contact an employment lawyer or file a complaint with the EEOC or the OCRC.
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