Although Colorado is an “at-will” employment state; the Colorado Supreme Court has firmly established that public policy wrongful discharge is an exception to the “at-will” doctrine. If an employee is directed to perform an illegal act as part of his or her employee duties and the action as directed by the employer would violate a statute or clearly expressed public policy, then the employer cannot terminate the employee for refusing to perform the act. If the employee is terminated for refusing to perform the act, and if the employer was aware or should have been aware that the employee’s refusal was based upon the employee’s reasonable belief that the act was illegal, then the employee may have a claim for wrongful discharge in violation of public policy. Over the years, Colorado courts and courts outside the jurisdiction have acknowledged that discharging an employee for whistleblowing, even absent any directive by the employer to do wrong, may violate public policy. Ms. Smith has successfully asserted this claim on behalf several clients who were wrongfully terminated for their whistleblowing activities. If you were terminated from your employment as a result of refusing to obey a directive of your employer that you believed violated public policy, or if you are a whistleblower and believe your termination was related to your whistleblowing activities CONTACT US to schedule a consultation with Ms. Smith to discuss your rights and potential representation.