What are my rights as an Ohio employee if I believe I have been wrongfully terminated by my employer?

As an Ohio employee, if you believe you have been wrongfully terminated by your employer, there are several legal options available to you.

First, Ohio is an "at-will" employment state, which means that employers can terminate employees for any reason or no reason at all, as long as it is not in violation of state or federal laws. However, if you believe that you have been wrongfully terminated, you may have a legal case if your employer violated your rights in the employment relationship.

Wrongful termination can occur when an employer terminates an employee for discriminatory reasons or in retaliation for exercising their legal rights. For example, an employer cannot terminate an employee because of their race, gender, religion, age, or disability. Similarly, an employer cannot terminate an employee for taking time off work for a family medical emergency or for reporting a workplace injury to OSHA.

If you believe that you have been wrongfully terminated, you may have the option to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. These agencies investigate claims of discrimination and harassment in the workplace and can take legal action against employers who violate the law.

Additionally, you may also be able to file a lawsuit against your employer for wrongful termination in court. To prevail in such a lawsuit, you will need to prove that your employer violated the law and caused you harm.

There are some limitations to these legal options. For example, there are strict deadlines for filing complaints with the EEOC or the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and you may need to file a charge with one of these agencies before you can file a lawsuit in court. Additionally, Ohio has some limitations on the damages that you can recover, which may limit the amount of compensation that you can receive for wrongful termination.

If you believe that you have been wrongfully terminated, it is important to consult with an experienced employment law attorney. They can advise you on your legal options and help you determine whether filing a complaint with the EEOC or the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, or filing a lawsuit in court, is the best course of action for your specific case.