Wrongful Termination

wilsonan1

New Member
Jurisdiction
Washington
I work for a car dealership in Washington State. I started working for them on March 12th, 2019 and was terminated yesterday May 31st, 2019.

I had a sales manager ask an employee of mine who is of Jewish belief, if he goes home to a "Harem." He repeatedly asking him the question because he was not responding to his question. My wife is also a follower of the Jewish religion and I understand their faith and beliefs. I felt very uncomfortable in the situation and stayed silent.

Later in the day an Asian couple walks into my store and the same sales manager greets them. He talks very slowly and with very big hand gestures to insinuate they are not of English speaking. They actually spoke English very fluently and clearly. He then started to mock them in the sales office and make fun of they way they spoke out loud. At that time I was not comfortable with the way he was acting with these customers, I decided to walk out of the office.

Two days later I decided to notify my General Manager about the issue of the racial comments the sales manager was making. He said he would talk to him and discuss how that was not appropriate.

I was later terminated two days after that for a reason that was not disclosed.

Was I wrongfully terminated? Do I have a legal case I can pursue?
 
On the available evidence, it's impossible to say that you were or that you were not. However, I find the circumstances suspicious just as you do.

It can't hurt to discuss the matter with an attorney and/or the EEOC.
 
On the available evidence, it's impossible to say that you were or that you were not. However, I find the circumstances suspicious just as you do.

It can't hurt to discuss the matter with an attorney and/or the EEOC.

I am being told by several other sources that it is more of a retaliation case instead of a wrongful termination. Do you believe so?
 
In this particular instance, it's the same thing. Not all retaliation is illegal, but when it is, a retaliatory term IS a wrongful term. In this case, IF you were termed in retaliation for your complaint (which I don't think is an unreasonable assumption) that's about the definition of a wrongful term right there.
 
In this particular instance, it's the same thing. Not all retaliation is illegal, but when it is, a retaliatory term IS a wrongful term. In this case, IF you were termed in retaliation for your complaint (which I don't think is an unreasonable assumption) that's about the definition of a wrongful term right there.

I signed a document when I was terminated stating I was separated from the company. I did not get a good look at it, but do most companies have a clause in there stating I forfeit any legal action if I want to pursue?
 
The only time it is common for a company to have a clause in which the employee waives their right to sue, is when the employee is receiving something in return, such as severance. I don't believe such a clause would be enforceable otherwise. So I doubt if whatever you signed can prevent you from taking any legal action your attorney thinks is applicable.
 
The only time it is common for a company to have a clause in which the employee waives their right to sue, is when the employee is receiving something in return, such as severance. I don't believe such a clause would be enforceable otherwise. So I doubt if whatever you signed can prevent you from taking any legal action your attorney thinks is applicable.


Thank you for the help, I appreciate the advise.

What my next concern is finding a lawyer. I do not want to pursue legal action unless someone see this is a legitimate case that can be won. I do know the dealership has a team of lawyers and I do not want to be overpowered by them because I do not have the funds to afford a lawyer.

Also I am not a person who tries to find any possible chance to sue a company. I feel in this case I was doing my job properly, performing at an excellent level and helping my company succeed. I was not informed of poor performance or misconduct. I do know before hire I sign "at will" employment forms, but being terminated under these circumstances seemed really coincidental.
 
Your state Bar Association, your local Legal Aide and any law schools in your area should be able to refer you to a list of lawyers. The law schools may even have a clinic where you can get your situation reviewed.
 
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