Public Policy Violations Attorney

A public policy wrongful termination claim arises when an employee is fired for reasons that violate a fundamental public policy. In California, under the Tameny doctrine, this includes firing an employee for refusing to violate a statute, performing a statutory obligation, exercising a constitutional right, or reporting a violation of law. It is one of the most common wrongful termination claims.

New York is more limited than California. NY does not have a broad common law public policy exception, but specific statutes provide protection: Labor Law § 740 (whistleblower), Labor Law § 215 (wage complaints), and Civil Service Law § 75-b (public employee whistleblowers). The NYC Human Rights Law also provides broad protections against retaliatory termination.

You need to show: (1) the existence of a clear public policy, (2) your conduct furthered that policy, (3) your employer terminated you, and (4) a causal connection between your conduct and the termination. Preserve all communications, document the timeline, and identify any witnesses who can corroborate your account.

In California, you can recover economic damages (lost wages, benefits), emotional distress damages, and punitive damages if the employer's conduct was malicious or oppressive. In New York, damages depend on the specific statute invoked but typically include back pay, compensatory damages, and attorneys' fees.