What is the difference between wrongful termination and involuntary termination?

Wrongful termination is when an employee is fired for reasons that are prohibited by law, including discrimination or retaliation for whistleblowing or taking family or medical leave. It can also occur when an employer breaches an implied or express contract with an employee. In Virginia, wrongful termination could result in the employee filing a civil lawsuit against the employer and claiming damages, such as back pay or punitive damages. In contrast, involuntary termination is when an employee is laid off due to lack of budget, re-organization, or for other reasons that are not in violation of any laws or contractual agreements. In Virginia, an employer can generally choose to lay off an employee without liability, as long as it does not select the employee based on age, gender, race, or any other protected status. The employee may, however, be eligible for unemployment benefits or other compensation from the employer.

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What is the difference between wrongful termination and involuntary termination?

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