Termination
If your employer fires you or ends your employment, it is called termination, discharge, or separation from your employment relationship. In most cases, your employer can end your employment at any time. However, your employer cannot fire you for certain reasons. If your employer breaks the law or a job contract, you have rights.
In Arizona, most jobs are “at-will.” This means:
Your employer can fire you at any time.
You can quit your job at any time.
Your employer does not need a reason to fire you, unless the law says they must have one.
What is wrongful termination?
Wrongful termination is when your employer ends your job for a reason that is against the law. Even in an “at-will” job, your employer cannot fire you for reasons that break the law.
For example, they can’t fire you based on:
- Your race, skin color, religion, sex, age, disability, or where you are from.
- Because you have jury duty.
- Filing a safety complaint.
- If you have a written employment contract that says your boss can only fire you for certain reasons. (Most employees do not have a written employment contract.)
What is retaliatory termination?
Your employer can’t punish you for doing something the law protects. In other words, an employer cannot fire you to “get back at you” if you refuse to do something that may harm you or something that is illegal. This is called retaliation.
For example, your employer cannot end your employment for:
- Refusing to break the law.
- Reporting illegal activity.
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim.
- Taking time off to vote.
- Refusing to join a union.
- Serving in the National Guard or armed forces.
- Refusing to buy goods or supplies from any particular person as a condition of employment.
- Refusing to pay fees or share tips as a condition of employment.
- Taking leave if you are a victim of a crime.
What can I do if I believe I have been fired unfairly?
If you believe your employer fired you for an improper reason, you have rights.
Check your employee handbook to find out who handles job concerns.
If your employer does not have a handbook or written rule, talk to the people in charge of Human Resources at your job. If you do not know who that is, talk to your boss or supervisor.
Talk to your employer’s designated person and explain what happened.
Give them as many specific facts as you can. Listen to what your employer says about the reason they fired you. If you talk to your employer, they may review their decision to fire you.
Write down what they say about why they fired you.
If they do not change their decision and you believe they fired you for an illegal reason, a lawyer may be able to help you.
What can I do if my employer discriminates against me?
Your employer cannot discriminate against you based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.
If you believe your employer discriminated against you at work, you can file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
A charge of discrimination is a statement you sign and file with the EEOC. In the statement, you explain how your employer, union, or labor organization discriminated against you. In the statement, you ask the EEOC to review your case and take action against your employer for discrimination.
How to file a charge of discrimination
You usually have 180 days (or 45 days if you are a federal employee) after your employer fires you or penalizes you to file.
You can find more information and access at the EEOC Portal.
Go to the EEOC Public Portal and submit an online inquiry. This is not the same as filing a charge—it’s the first step to help the EEOC understand your situation.
What if my employer fires me and I am not an “at will” employee?
Not all employees are “at will” employees. Some workers have extra protections, for example:
Employment Contracts:
You and your employer have a written contract that says how long you will work or gives special rules for when you can be fired.
Labor Unions:
Union contracts often give more rights. If your employer breaks the rules in your contract, your union rep can help.
Public Policy:
Under the public policy exception to employment at will, your employer cannot fire you for reasons that go against public policy. For example, if you are fired for refusing to break the law, or for asking for medical leave.
Implied Contracts:
An implied contract exception may protect you if your employer made promises in a handbook or policy that suggest they need a good reason to fire you.
This topic can be complicated. You may want to talk to a legal professional for help.
This website shares general legal information. Some content may be simplified or may not reflect recent changes in law. If you need advice for your specific situation, you should talk to a legal professional.
This content was last udpated on Oct 1, 2025.