U.S. Virgin Islands Wrongful Termination Attorney

Lawyers Assisting With Retaliatory Discharge in St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix

The loss of your job can have a huge impact on your ability to meet your needs and provide for your family, and if you have been fired or terminated in violation of the law, you may be able to seek relief from your former employer.

The attorneys of Colianni & Leonard LLC have been working in the U.S. Virgin Islands since 1968, and we understand the employment laws that apply to those who live in the territory. If you have been wrongfully discharged, we can help you understand your legal options, ensure that your rights are protected, and provide you with representation when filing a complaint.

Wrongful Discharge in the U.S. Virgin Islands

While employers are generally allowed to fire employees when necessary, the Virgin Islands Wrongful Discharge Act identifies specific circumstances in which an employee may be terminated:

• The employee has engaged in business conduct that conflicts with their employer's interests, such as working for a competitor.
• The employee has acted insolently or offensively toward customers in a way that has negatively impacted the employer's business.
• Intoxication by alcohol or drugs has impaired the employee's ability to perform work.
• The employee disobeyed the employer's rules, policies, or instructions, as long as those directions were lawful and reasonable.
• The employee has performed work negligently or in an incompetent or inefficient manner.
• The employee has been continually absent from work, and this absence has negatively affected the employer.
• The employee has acted dishonestly.
• The employee has conducted themselves in a way that has resulted in difficulty working with other employees.
• The employer has suffered economic hardship that requires a cutback in the labor force, or the employer has ceased operations altogether.

Any termination of an employee that does not fall under one of the above reasons may be considered wrongful termination. An employee who has been wrongfully discharged must file a complaint with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Labor within 30 days after the date of termination.

Employees should also be aware that whistleblower protection laws ensure that they cannot be terminated for reporting unlawful conduct by their employer or a fellow employee, including reports of discrimination or harassment. An employee who is injured at work cannot be fired for making a workers' compensation claim, and a person cannot be discharged because they have requested time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). 

Those who have been wrongfully terminated or who have experienced retaliatory discharge based on actions that are protected by law may be able to obtain relief from their employer. This may include being restored to their former position, receiving back pay or benefits they would have earned if they had not been discharged, or being compensated for the negative impact the employer's actions have had on their career and reputation.

Contact a U.S. Virgin Islands Wrongful Discharge Lawyer

You have certain rights as an employee, and if your employer has violated those rights by firing you illegally, our attorneys can help you file a wrongful termination claim and pursue compensation for the harm that was done to you, your family, and your reputation. To learn more about your legal options, contact our office today at 340-719-1766 to schedule your free initial consultation.