Many public employees have due process rights in their employment. Unlike private employees, who are strictly “at will,” employees of a government entity usually possess the right to contest or appeal adverse employment actions. There is generally a right to due process either pre-termination (i.e., an opportunity to be heard before a final decision is made), or a a right to appeal a termination decision once it has been made. Public employees throughout Georgia–including public school teachers, police officers, firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, and other city and county employees–have these rights, but often don’t use them. You may fear that you will be railroaded. You may fear that you don’t have anyone to help present your case and ensure your rights are respected. That is where we come in.
Our attorneys have the training and experience to help you in your personnel appeal. Contact us today.
If you have a right to appeal disciplinary actions, up through and including termination, exercise those rights. These rights may be found in a City Charter, in a County’s Ordinances and Regulations, in your employee’s Personnel Policies, or a number of other sources. Whatever you do, don’t allow yourself to be railroaded. If you believe you have been unjustly terminated or disciplined, find out what appeal rights you have, and then contact an attorney to help you with your appeal.
The attorneys of Radford & Keebaugh have represented hundreds of public employees in personnel matters. We have gotten disciplinary actions reduced or eliminated, we have helped people to get their jobs back. We have fought against unlawful discrimination on the basis of political beliefs, race, sex, religion, and other factors in federal court. We have helped terminated employees to obtain unemployment benefits. While we can never guarantee a certain result, we can promise to work hard for you to ensure your best chance at success.
If you are facing disciplinary action or termination by a public employer, call us or fill out our contact form. We can help. (678) 369-3609.
Below, you can watch a video of attorney James Radford, arguing before the Georgia Supreme Court on behalf of two employees who were wrongfully terminated from the City of Greenville, Georgia. We took their fight all the way to the Supreme Court. Following this argument, we won a unanimous decision by the Georgia Supreme Court, finding that they had been wrongfully terminated.