If you were fired for an illegal reason in Kentucky there are both Federal and state laws that may help you file a claim against your previous employer. Even in at-will employment states employers can't fire workers for reasons that are protected by law. That means your employer could be liable for damages if they fired you unlawfully.
What Is The Kentucky Civil Rights Act?
The Kentucky Civil Right Act makes it illegal to discriminate based on someone’s race, gender, religion, age, or disability in things like housing and employment. That means that under the Kentucky Civil Rights Act employers can’t fire you because of a discriminatory reason like your gender, race, religion, where you’re from, your age, or your disability. If you were fired by an employer for any reason that is protected by the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, then you can file a claim against that employer for an unlawful termination.
What Other Laws Protect Kentucky Workers From Wrongful Termination?
Kentucky is an at-will employment state. But employers still must abide by Federal employment laws as well as the Kentucky Civil Rights Act. Workers in Kentucky are protected by Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act. Title VII says that employers can’t fire someone because of their race, gender, religion, or place of birth. Other Federal employment laws that protect workers from unlawful firing include:
- The Family Medical Leave Act
- The Pregnancy Protection Act
- The Americans With Disabilities Act
If you were fired by an employer for any reason that is protected by state or Federal laws you have the right to file a claim with state and Federal authorities. Your employer could face both state and Federal penalties or charges if they violated your employment rights.
Who Oversees the Wrongful Termination Laws in Kentucky?
If you were fired for a discriminatory reason in Kentucky you can file a complaint against your employer with the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. You can start a complaint online with the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. Don’t wait, because you only have 180 days to file a complaint in most cases. After you have entered your information the KCHR will mail you the form that you need to file.
You can also file a complaint with the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC has jurisdiction in Kentucky and every state to investigate violations of Federal employment laws.
Get in Touch With a Lawyer That Takes Kentucky Wrongful Termination Claims
Getting legal advice from an employment lawyer is strongly recommended if you have been fired for an illegal reason. A Kentucky employment attorney can help you file a complaint and make sure that you have the evidence you need to prove that you were fired for an illegal reason. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation to get connected with an independent employment law attorney who subscribes to the website and takes cases in Kentucky.
