Getting fired under questionable or illegal circumstances can leave you stunned and unsure of what to do next. What happens to your career? Your income?
When a termination feels unfair or retaliatory, that confusion often gives rise to frustration or anxiety. You may be worried about how to pay your bills, support your family, or preserve your professional reputation. Taking action against wrongful (or constructive) termination right away helps preserve your rights and puts you in a better position to recover, both financially and emotionally. The steps you take during this period can have a real effect on your ability to hold your former employer accountable.
Documentation and Evidence is Priority Number One
We’ve highlighted the value of proper documentation before, but it deserves another mention here. Written and electronic records serve as the foundation for most employment-related claims. Start saving anything that shows how you were treated leading up to your termination, how you reported the actions, and any witnesses or supporting evidence of your claims.
Text messages, emails, chat logs, policy manuals, and even screenshots can help clarify the events that occurred. If your workplace had internal tools or platforms that documented expectations, complaints, or performance metrics, preserve anything that reflects your experience. Write down dates, times, and descriptions while memories are still fresh. These records can serve as key pieces of information later on.
Witness Information Should Be Thorough and Specific
Colleagues who observed the behavior or conversations surrounding your firing may be important to your case. Try to remember both the first and last names of anyone who saw or heard what happened or who can speak to the work environment you experienced. Also, try to get a phone number or email so they can be reached if needed.
It’s not necessary to ask them for a formal statement, but it is helpful to know whether the potential witness has the same understanding of the events as you do and whether they’re willing to speak up. With that being said, there is always the potential that a current employee of a company might later alter their stance or reinterpret the situation to protect their own interests. This is one reason why individuals no longer employed by the company are often preferred as witnesses in wrongful termination cases.
Start Applying for Other Jobs
Starting your job search right away serves a dual purpose. You’ll be taking steps to protect your income and maintain stability, which benefits you and your family in a real, immediate way. It also shows that you’re working to move forward and not just waiting for a legal payout.
When you apply for unemployment, you’re often required to show evidence that you’re actively seeking new work. And in many employment cases, efforts to find a replacement job can support your claim by showing how the termination impacted your career. Keep a log of where you apply, interviews conducted, along with dates and responses.
Pursue Therapy or Treatment
Similarly, seeking mental health support after losing your job can benefit both your well-being and your case. Termination (and the actions that preceded it) often creates feelings of shame, anxiety, or even depression, especially when it feels undeserved. If you begin therapy or receive medical care during or soon after your dismissal, you create a documented link between the emotional distress and the job loss. Waiting too long to get help generally makes it harder to prove that connection. If you’re already receiving treatment, it helps demonstrate that you’re actively trying to recover and not exaggerating your claim.
Contact an Employment Lawyer as Soon as Possible
Time matters in these situations. A workplace justice lawyer can help guide your next steps and begin preparing your case while evidence is still recent and the situation is fresh on everyone’s minds. Getting an attorney involved early helps ensure your claims are preserved and deadlines are not missed. Our firm works with workers who need more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Contact Brandon Banks Law to see if we can help begin working on a custom legal strategy tailored to your circumstances following termination.
The information contained in this blog and on this website is only intended for educational purposes and should not be considered legal advice. You should consult with an attorney before acting on information you read online.