There are a number of situations that can lead to an employee being terminated, and sometimes a person may feel they were treated unfairly in the process of being fired. In these cases, it is essential to know and understand the laws associated with wrongful termination. While employees in the United States are generally considered to be at-will, meaning they can be hired or fired for any reason, there are some important exceptions. For example, employees who have entered into an employment contract may have some protection from being terminated without proper cause or procedures as outlined in the contract. The law also provides protection to employees in the form of civil rights laws and whistleblower laws that prevent termination on the basis of protected status, such as race or gender, or on the basis of reporting illegal activity being carried out by an employer. As either an employee or employer, it is important to know your legal rights and obligations in the termination process.