What is the difference between being laid off and wrongfully terminated?

The difference between being laid off and wrongfully terminated is that when an employee is laid off, it is typically due to economic or structural reasons outside of the employee’s control. Laid-off employees may be entitled to certain unemployment benefits and other protections. Wrongful termination is when an employee is terminated from employment for an illegal reason or in violation of a contract or agreement between the employee and employer. In Maryland, wrongful termination is prohibited and unlawful under the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act. If an employer has laid off an employee and the action is based on discrimination or if the rights of the employee are being violated in any way, this could be considered as a wrongful termination. On the other hand, if the employer did not violate any laws or contracts and the employee was laid off due to restructuring or budget reasons, this would not be considered wrongful termination. In most cases, employers are allowed to lay off employees without breaking the law when there are valid economic reasons or for purposes of reorganizing the business. Employers are legally obligated to adhere to federal, state, and local laws when it comes to terminating employees. If you believe that your employer has wrongfully terminated you, you can file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Maryland Department of Labor. An experienced employment attorney can help you determine if you have a legal claim for wrongful termination.

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