What is the definition of "wrongful termination"?

The definition of "wrongful termination" is best captured by the termination of an employee without just cause. This term is commonly used in employment law to refer to situations where an employee is let go in violation of established laws, contractual obligations, or without a legitimate reason. Wrongful termination can involve dismissals that contravene public policy, contractual rights, or protections offered under employment laws, such as discharging an employee for discriminatory reasons or retaliatory motivations against whistleblowing.

The other options do not fully encompass the concept of wrongful termination. For example, ending a contract due to unsatisfactory performance involves assessing the employee's work quality, which does not relate to wrongful termination, as it implies just cause for dismissal. Voluntary resignation describes a scenario where the employee chooses to leave the job, which cannot be wrongful from the employer's perspective. Similarly, layoffs due to company downsizing are often considered permissible and do not constitute wrongful termination, as they typically follow rational business decisions rather than individual performance assessments or violations of labor standards.