Missouri, like most states in the U.S., is an at-will state, which means that most employees are deemed to work “at will.” This effectively means that an employer can fire an employee at any time for almost any reason as a St. Louis business law firm will tell you.
However, there are some exceptions. Federal law prohibits any employer from firing an employee on the basis of a “protected class,” which includes race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability or citizenship status. Most of these restrictions apply to employers with at least 15 employees, although some require fewer and some require more employees to take effect.
In addition, Missouri law also prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of a worker’s HIV/AIDS status, genetic information or a worker’s off-duty use of tobacco. These state statutes apply to employers with at least six employees. If you think you have been wrongfully terminated in violation of Missouri statutes, seek out an experienced St. Louis business law firm.
It is also illegal for employers to perform any sort of retaliation against an employee who has reported or alleged discriminatory practices by their employer. For example, if you complain that you are being discriminated against to your company’s HR department, and the company subsequently fires or demotes you, you likely have a viable retaliation claim against the employer, though finding out for sure may require the opinion of a St. Louis business law firm.
If you think you were wrongfully terminated from your job, contact a St. Louis business law attorney. Call the Law Office of Christopher Bent at 314-551-0898.