If you’re a federal employee who has been wrongfully terminated, you have the right to challenge the decision. If the firing breaks federal law or workplace rules, you may be able to file an appeal or report the problem. These laws protect you and hold agencies responsible.
Our Boston wrongful termination lawyer will help you understand your rights, fill out the right forms, and speak up for you. If you think your firing was unfair, don’t wait to take legal action. We will handle your entire case and support you every step of the way.
You can call our firm for a free consultation and talk to a lawyer who will fight for you.
How We Help Clients With Federal Wrongful Termination Cases
If you’ve been wrongfully terminated from a federal job, our attorneys will help you take the next steps. We understand how overwhelming it can feel when you’re suddenly out of work—especially if you were fired unfairly.
You may be unsure about your rights, how to respond, or where to turn. That’s where we come in. We will help by:
- Reviewing your case: We will look at all the facts and determine whether your termination violated any federal laws or employee protections.
- Filing appeals or complaints: We will guide you through the right process, whether it’s through your agency’s Equal Opportunity Office (EOO), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), or another legal route.
- Gathering evidence: Our team will collect documents, witness statements, and other records that support your case.
- Protecting your rights: Our attorney will stand between you and the agency, making sure your voice is heard and your rights are respected.
- Pursuing damages or reinstatement: If your firing was unlawful, we fight for what you deserve—whether that’s getting your job back, recovering lost wages, or both.
We don’t just take cases—we take them personally. Our firm focuses on labor and employment law and believes in holding public agencies and employers accountable when they break the rules. You won’t be treated like just another case file. We will be with you throughout your case.
For a free legal consultation, call (860) 999-9394
What Is Wrongful Termination for a Federal Employee?
Wrongful termination means being fired from your federal job for an illegal reason. While not every firing is against the law, there are some clear situations where terminating someone’s job crosses the line:
- Discrimination: Being fired because of your race, religion, sex, disability, age, or other protected trait.
- Retaliation: Being fired for reporting illegal actions, harassment, or unsafe work conditions.
- Violation of procedure: Federal agencies must follow certain steps to fire workers. Skipping these steps can be unlawful.
- Whistleblowing: Losing your job after reporting government fraud, waste, or abuse is often illegal.
As a federal employee, you have more protection than private-sector workers. You are not an “at-will” employee. This means your employer must have a valid reason and follow the rules when firing you.
What Laws Protect Federal Employees?
Various federal laws protect you from being wrongfully fired:
- Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA): Gives employees the right to challenge unfair firings and other personnel actions through the MSPB.
- Whistleblower Protection Act: Protects you if you report government wrongdoing and then face punishment or termination.
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Prohibits job discrimination based on race, sex, religion, and more.
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA): Protects workers aged 40 and older.
- Rehabilitation Act: Stops federal agencies from discriminating against workers with disabilities.
- Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA): Protects military service members from being fired unfairly because of their service.
These laws provide a path to justice, but each one has specific rules and timelines. Our wrongful termination claims lawyer will file your case correctly.
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What Is Not Considered Wrongful Termination?
Not all terminations are illegal. The law allows some reasons for firing a federal employee. These include:
- Poor job performance: If your agency follows proper steps and gives you warnings, this may be lawful.
- Restructuring: Agencies are allowed to downsize or reorganize.
- Probationary period: New employees may have fewer rights during this time, although discrimination and retaliation laws still apply.
Even if a firing feels unfair, it may not be legally wrongful. That’s why it helps to speak with a lawyer to understand your situation.
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What Are Your Options if You’ve Been Wrongfully Terminated?
If you believe your termination was illegal, here’s what you should do:
- Ask for your termination notice: This helps you understand the reason the agency is giving.
- Gather proof: Keep emails, documents, and records of what happened.
- File with your Equal Employment Opportunity office: If your case involves discrimination or retaliation, you may need to go through your agency’s EEO process.
- Appeal to the MSPB: You may be able to challenge your termination through the board. Most appeals must be filed within 30 days of your termination.
- Contact our wrongful termination lawyer: We will prepare your appeal, represent you in hearings, and build your case the right way.
Missing a deadline can hurt your case, so we encourage you to act quickly.
How Our Workplace Retaliation Lawyer Can Help Your Wrongful Termination Claim
If you were fired for speaking out about wrongdoing at work, a Boston workplace retaliation lawyer can help.
Retaliation means facing punishment for doing something legal, such as reporting harassment, unsafe conditions, or fraud. Under federal law, this kind of firing is illegal.
A lawyer from our firm will work with you to:
- Prove retaliation happened
- Gather strong evidence to support your case
- Challenge false claims made against you
- Fight for your job or damages for lost income
No one should be punished for doing the right thing. If you feel targeted after standing up or speaking out, talk to our lawyer right away.
What Happens After You File an Appeal?
Once you appeal a wrongful termination, one of several things can happen:
- You may settle: Sometimes agencies will offer to settle instead of going to a full hearing.
- You may have a hearing: At an MSPB hearing, both you and the agency present your cases, and a judge decides if the termination was lawful.
- You may be reinstated: If the board rules in your favor, you could get your job back.
- You may get damages: These can include back pay, legal fees, and in some cases, compensation for emotional distress.
Challenging a wrongful firing is not a quick process. However, it can bring justice and stop the agency from treating other workers unfairly in the future.
Don’t Wait to Take Action: Strict Deadlines Apply to These Cases
Most federal wrongful termination cases must be filed within 30 days of your termination or notice. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to challenge what happened.
If your case involves discrimination, you may also need to go through the agency’s EEO process before appealing to the MSPB or filing in court. Each path has its own rules. The sooner you speak to a lawyer, the better chance you have to take the correct steps on time.
Call Us to Protect Your Rights After the Wrongful Termination of a Federal Job
If you believe you were wrongfully fired from a federal job, you have rights, and we will protect them. You can talk to our wrongful termination attorney about your situation and get legal advice. Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard understands how challenging this process can be.
We’re one of the few New England firms that focuses on labor and employment law, including cases involving federal employees. We don’t use gimmicks or flashy ads. We focus on the facts, the law, and getting results.
We work on contingency, so you don’t pay unless we win for you. We are a social justice-motivated firm that believes in holding agencies and corporations accountable. Contact us for a free consultation. Let us help you regain control and stand up for your future.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form