Wrongful Termination in Wisconsin
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Wisconsin presumes at-will employment but allows wrongful termination claims for public policy violations and breach of implied covenants.
How Wisconsin treats Wrongful Termination
Wisconsin follows at-will employment by default but recognizes exceptions when termination violates public policy or breaches an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Employees fired for jury duty, voting, or reporting illegal conduct have strong wrongful termination claims. Wisconsin courts also protect employees who refuse to commit unlawful acts or exercise statutory rights.
The general definition of Wrongful Termination
Illegal firing of an employee in violation of law, contract, or public policy.
Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee for an illegal reason or in violation of an employment contract or established public policy. Common illegal reasons include retaliation for reporting safety violations, discrimination based on race or gender, refusal to commit an illegal act, or exercising a legal right like jury duty. In most US states, employment is at-will, meaning employers can fire workers for almost any reason, but there are important exceptions. An employee who is wrongfully terminated can sue for damages, including lost wages and emotional distress.
Read the full Wrongful Termination entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Wisconsin.