A federal employee can be fired without warning in some cases, but it depends on what happened. Most of the time, federal workers have certain rights, especially if they’ve finished their probation period.
These rights include being told why they’re being fired and having a chance to respond before it becomes final. But there are exceptions. If someone is fired for serious misconduct or for national security reasons, they might not get a warning.
If this happened to you, don’t assume it was legal. Our Boston wrongful termination lawyer will explain your rights and check if your employer followed the rules. If your firing was rushed, unfair, or based on something illegal—like retaliation or discrimination—you might have a strong case.
How Our Lawyer Can Help With a Wrongful Termination Case
If you were fired without being told why or without a chance to respond, you may feel powerless. But you’re not alone. We will help you.
A wrongful termination lawyer from our team will:
- Review your case to see if your employer followed federal rules
- Help you file a complaint or appeal with the right agency, such as the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)
- Collect records and proof to show if your firing was unfair or illegal
- Represent you in hearings or court
- Fight to get your job back, back pay, or other damages
We understand that losing a federal job is serious. We’re here to stand up for your rights.
For a free legal consultation, call (860) 999-9394
When a Federal Employee Is Fired, Here What Is and Isn’t Allowed
When a federal employee is fired, certain rules and protections apply, especially if the employee has completed their probationary period. It’s important to understand what your employer is legally allowed to do and what actions may break federal law.
What Is Enforceable Under the Law
The following actions are allowed under federal law:
- Just cause requirement: Once a federal employee completes their probation period and gains full civil service protections, they cannot be fired for just any reason. There must be a valid and legal cause, such as poor performance or misconduct, that facts support.
- Due process: Most federal workers have the right to know why they are being fired and to respond before the decision is final. Your agency should give you a written notice, explain the reason, and let you share your side of the story.
- Protection from retaliation or discrimination: Federal law protects you from being fired because you reported wrongdoing or because of your race, gender, religion, age, disability, or other protected traits. These protections ensure all workers receive fair treatment.
What Isn’t Allowed Under the Law
All the actions below are illegal:
- Being fired for who you are: It is against the law to be fired because of your race, gender, religion, disability, age, or other protected characteristics.
- Being fired for whistleblowing: You can’t be legally fired for reporting illegal or unethical activity, even if the report made your agency uncomfortable.
- Being fired without warning (in some cases): If you have civil service protections, you must receive proper notice and a chance to respond before being let go—unless the firing falls under narrow exceptions, like national security or severe misconduct.
Federal Laws That Protect You
Several federal laws are in place to protect employees from unfair treatment, discrimination, and wrongful termination. If your firing violated any of the laws below, you could have legal grounds to take action:
- Civil Service Reform Act: Sets rules for federal hiring and firing.
- Whistleblower Protection Act: Protects those who report government fraud, waste, or abuse.
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Bans job discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA): Protects workers age 40 and over.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Prohibits discrimination based on disability.
If your firing violated any of these laws, you may have a strong case for wrongful termination. An attorney can help you understand which laws apply and how to move forward.
When to Call Our Workplace Retaliation Lawyer After Being Let Go From a Federal Job Unexpectedly
If you believe you were fired for speaking up—like reporting discrimination, safety issues, or fraud—you may be facing retaliation. Our Boston workplace retaliation lawyer will:
- Help gather proof that connects your firing to the report or complaint you made.
- Explain your rights under whistleblower laws.
- Represent you in filing claims with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel or other agencies.
- Make sure you aren’t silenced for doing the right thing.
You have the right to a safe and fair workplace.
Click to contact our labor & employment lawyers today
What About Probationary Federal Employees?
Probationary employees, usually those in their first year of federal service, have fewer rights than permanent employees. An agency can let them go more easily if the agency says they aren’t meeting expectations or are not a good fit.
However, anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation laws still protect probationary employees. This means you cannot legally be fired just because you filed a complaint, reported misconduct, or belong to a protected group. If you were dismissed for one of these reasons, our lawyer will help you collect evidence, file a claim, and stand up for your rights.
Even without full civil service status, you still deserve fair treatment.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Signs Your Firing Might Have Been Illegal
Not all firings look obviously unlawful at first. Here are some signs that could mean your termination was illegal:
- You were fired shortly after reporting harassment, fraud, or safety concerns.
- You were let go after requesting medical leave, disability accommodations, or pregnancy-related time off.
- You received strong performance reviews but were suddenly fired without explanation.
- You were treated differently than coworkers in similar roles or with similar issues.
- Your employer didn’t give you any formal notice or a chance to respond.
If any of these sound familiar, you may have experienced wrongful termination or retaliation. Speaking with an attorney can help clarify your options.
What Federal Workers Should Do When Fired Without Notice
If you’ve just been fired, you must act quickly and take the right steps:
- Get everything in writing: Save termination letters, emails, or performance reviews.
- Ask for your personnel file: This can help show whether your firing followed proper procedures.
- Write down what happened: Document any events leading up to your termination while details are still fresh in your mind.
- Don’t delay: Deadlines for federal employee claims—such as MSPB appeals or EEO complaints—can come up fast.
You don’t have to figure all of this out by yourself. Our wrongful termination attorneys will guide you and file your claim on time.
Speak With Our Attorney About Being Fired Without Warning
If you were fired from a federal job without warning, talk to our wrongful termination or retaliation lawyer today. At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we stand up for workers who have been treated unfairly, especially those in federal jobs who are often unsure of their rights.
We focus on labor and employment law and hold employers and agencies accountable when they break the rules. Our attorneys offer a free consultation and work on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
If you were terminated unfairly, don’t wait. Let us review your situation and help you file a claim before time runs out. Contact us today to get started.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form