Is it illegal to terminate an employee without just cause?

In California, it is illegal for an employer to terminate an employee without just cause. The California Labor Code states that an employer cannot terminate an employee unless there is a legitimate business reason for doing so. This means that the employer must have a reasonable explanation for the termination, such as if the employee was not performing to the standard expected from the employer, or if the employee was behaving in an inappropriate manner. If an employee believes that their termination was not justified, they may file a complaint with the California Labor Commissioner. The Labor Commissioner will investigate the complaint and may order the employer to pay the employee for lost wages or provide other remedies if the termination is found to be without just cause. Additionally, California is an at-will state, meaning that an employer can terminate an employee for no reason at all as long as the employer is not violating any labor law or employment agreement. However, employers must be careful to not terminate an employee for reasons that could be considered discriminatory, such as due to an employee’s race, gender, or religion. Overall, it is illegal for an employer to terminate an employee without just cause in California. Employees who believe that their termination was unjust can take action against the employer by filing a complaint with the California Labor Commissioner. Employers should also be aware of any labor laws or employment agreements which may prohibit the termination of an employee without cause.

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