WHAT IS CONSTRUCTIVE DISCHARGE AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Constructive discharge is when an employee is forced to quit because the employer has made working conditions unbearable. Unbearable conditions include harassment or discrimination, or receiving a negative change in pay or work for reasons that are not work-related. An example is when Bob believes he was constructively discharged when he felt compelled to quit after his supervisor decreased his pay and benefits for no performance-related reason.

While employees who voluntarily quit are typically not expected to receive unemployment benefits and lose the right to sue the company for wrongful termination, constructive discharge is an exception. If an employee feels he or she was forced to leave a job because the employer made the job so unbearable, he or she can file a wrongful termination suit against the former employer. In this case, being compelled to quit is legally similar to being unfairly discharged.

If you believe your termination was wrongful and you have been constructively discharged or you have not been treated according to the law or company policy, you can get help.

The Law Offices of Payab & Associates is a Los Angeles based law firm with more than 17 years of experience in employment cases. Our office has successfully litigated many complex disputes including wrongful termination, sexual harassment, racial discrimination, wage and labor disputes, and retaliation cases.