A layoff lawyer often deals with cases regarding wrongful termination, in which an employee is laid off for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons. Various local, state, and federal laws prohibit the termination of an employee for a number of reasons, such as layoffs based on age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or religious discrimination. Terminating an employee as retaliation for complaints about workplace safety, illegal actions, or other violations is also considered wrongful termination. Though many laws outlaw these types of actions, they still do occur, however those whose rights have been violated are not without legal recourse. Any employee who has been unfairly laid off should seek the advice and assistance of a qualified layoff lawyer in order to better understand the legal options available.