Employers cannot fire, threaten to fire, or otherwise penalize an employee for serving on a jury or for attending or being scheduled to attend jury duty. If an employer violates these laws, they may face penalties, including an order to reinstate the employee, pay damages for lost wages or benefits, or potentially face civil or criminal contempt charges.
If you were fired for serving on a jury, you are protected by state law and should speak with a Deerfield jury service wrongful termination lawyer as soon as possible. A wrongful termination attorney could help you understand your legal rights and options under employment laws.
State law mandates that employers grant time off to employees who are summoned for jury duty—regardless of their shift or job assignment—and prohibits employers from taking adverse actions, such as termination or disciplinary action, for serving on a jury or for attending court in connection with jury service.
Employees have certain obligations concerning jury service. They are required to provide their employer with reasonable notice of jury duty summons, typically within 10 days of receiving the summons.
While employers are not legally obligated to pay employees for jury duty, employees may receive a per diem reimbursement from the court for their mileage and daily expenses during their service. Employees should also be furnished with proof of service for their employer once they have completed jury duty.
A worker who serves on a jury is entitled to be reinstated to their position upon their return and without loss of seniority or benefits. It should be as if they were on a leave of absence.
In addition, an employer is barred from forcing night shift employees to work when they are performing jury duty during the daytime. A worker who was fired for serving on a jury may have legal recourse and should contact a Deerfield attorney to discuss filing a wrongful termination lawsuit.
Deerfield employers cannot fire employees for attending jury duty, and such termination would be considered unjustified, allowing the employee an opportunity to seek legal advice from an attorney. An attorney could help them file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights or, in some cases, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
A skilled lawyer could examine the circumstances of a termination to determine if it indeed violated an employee’s rights, was discriminatory, or otherwise violated jury duty protections. They could also help them understand the potential remedies available, such as:
You should not be penalized for upholding your civic duty. If you believe you were fired because you attended jury duty, speak with our team immediately.
While Illinois is an “employment at-will” state, meaning employers can generally terminate employees for any reason, there are exceptions, including actions protected by law, such as jury duty. If you are fired for jury service, keep records of any communications with your employer, including the date of your termination, the reason given, and any other relevant information.
Next, seek legal advice from a Deerfield jury service wrongful termination lawyer who could advise you on what may happen with your claim. An attorney could pursue all available remedies, including monetary damages, reinstatement, and other relief. Contact us today to request your confidential, free 30-minute case evaluation.
(847) 654 9200