What Is an Example of Wrongful Termination?
Losing a job is never easy, but being fired for illegal reasons is not just unfair—it’s wrongful termination. While many employees in Maryland are considered “at-will,” meaning they can be fired for nearly any reason or no reason at all, there are still important legal protections in place. If an employer violates these protections, the employee may have grounds for a wrongful termination claim.
But what does wrongful termination actually look like in the real world? In this article, we’ll walk through a clear example to help you understand when a firing crosses the legal line—and why working with wrongful termination lawyers in Maryland is so important when this happens.
What Constitutes Wrongful Termination?
Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired in violation of federal, state, or local laws, or in breach of an employment contract or company policy. Common grounds for wrongful termination include:
- Discrimination based on race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, or pregnancy
- Retaliation for reporting illegal activities, harassment, or safety violations
- Violation of public policy, such as firing an employee for taking family leave or voting
- Breach of contract, where an employer fails to honor the terms of an employment agreement
Even in at-will employment states like Maryland, there are legal limits to how and why an employer can terminate someone.
Example of Wrongful Termination: Retaliation After Reporting Harassment
Let’s say Jessica, a 32-year-old marketing manager, works for a mid-sized tech company in Maryland. She enjoys her job and consistently receives positive performance reviews. However, over time, she begins experiencing inappropriate comments from a senior executive, including comments about her appearance and suggestive jokes during meetings.
Jessica reports the behavior to Human Resources, following her company’s official complaint procedure. HR opens a formal investigation. A few weeks later, HR notifies her that the executive has been “spoken to,” but no disciplinary action is taken. Shortly afterward, Jessica is suddenly written up for vague “performance issues,” even though her work hasn’t changed.
Within a month of filing the complaint, Jessica is fired. The official reason? “Cultural misalignment” and “not being a team player.”
Why This Could Be Wrongful Termination
Jessica’s situation raises serious red flags:
- She filed a harassment complaint, which is a protected activity under both Maryland and federal employment laws.
- The timing of the disciplinary action and termination closely followed her complaint, suggesting retaliation.
- The stated reason for her firing is vague and subjective, which is often used as a cover for illegal motives.
In this example, Jessica may have a valid wrongful termination case based on retaliation. Firing an employee for reporting harassment violates both Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Maryland’s employment discrimination laws.
A case like this would benefit from being reviewed by experienced wrongful termination lawyers in Maryland who can evaluate the evidence, including her prior performance reviews, internal emails, and witness testimony, to determine the strength of her claim.
Other Common Examples of Wrongful Termination
Jessica’s case is just one example. Here are a few other scenarios that could constitute wrongful termination:
- Discrimination: An older employee is fired shortly after disclosing their age in a job survey, and younger, less qualified employees are promoted ahead of them.
- Medical leave retaliation: An employee is fired after returning from FMLA-protected medical leave, despite their position being promised upon return.
- Whistleblower retaliation: An accountant reports financial fraud internally or to a regulatory body, then is terminated shortly thereafter.
- Breach of contract: An employee with a written agreement guaranteeing a 12-month position is terminated without cause at month three.
Each of these cases involves the violation of a legal right or protected status.
How to Know If You’ve Been Wrongfully Terminated
Wrongful termination isn’t always obvious—employers may try to hide illegal motives behind vague reasons or sudden policy changes. If you suspect your firing wasn’t legal, consider the following questions:
- Were you recently involved in a protected activity (e.g., complaint, leave, whistleblowing)?
- Were you fired shortly after that activity?
- Were the reasons given for your termination inconsistent or unclear?
- Do you have documentation (emails, reviews, contracts) that contradicts the employer’s claims?
If you answer “yes” to any of these, you may have a case.
Speak with a Maryland Wrongful Termination Lawyer
If you think you were fired for an illegal reason, it’s important to act quickly. Maryland law sets time limits on when wrongful termination claims can be filed, and early legal guidance can make a big difference in how strong your case is.
The experienced wrongful termination lawyers in Maryland at Mundaca Law can help. They understand the complexities of employment law and will work to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Final Thoughts
Wrongful termination isn’t always about a dramatic firing—it often comes disguised as a performance issue, a policy change, or vague language like “not a good fit.” But if your firing was connected to protected actions or illegal discrimination, you may have legal recourse.
By understanding real-world examples and working with a qualified legal team, you can take the right steps toward justice and recovery.