5 Things You Should Do Right After Being Fired in Maryland

 Posted on February 25, 2026 in Wrongful Termination

Losing your job is disorienting, especially if it’s unexpected. In the hours and days right after it happens, what you do is very important if you hope to have a successful case against your employer for wrongful termination.

If you suspect you were illegally fired in 2026, what you do next can have a real impact on your wrongful termination claim. A Baltimore employment lawyer who represents employees in both state and federal court can help you understand what your options are.

What Is Wrongful Termination Under Maryland Law?

Maryland is an at-will employment state, which means an employer can generally fire an employee for any reason or no reason at all. However, there are important exceptions. Termination becomes wrongful when it violates a law, a contract, or a clearly established public policy.

Federal law prohibits employers from firing employees based on certain protected characteristics. These include race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Maryland adds additional protections under the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act, which applies to employers with 15 or more employees and prohibits discrimination on those same grounds, plus sexual orientation and gender identity.

In addition, people who are fired in retaliation for reporting workplace violations, filing a workers' compensation claim, or participating in a protected legal proceeding may also have a wrongful termination claim.

What Should You Do Immediately After Being Fired?

Write Down Everything You Remember 

As soon as possible after your termination, write down what happened. Include the date and time, who was there, exactly what was said, and anything that happened leading up to the firing that seemed unusual or retaliatory. You might be surprised by how quickly our memories about this will fade.

Find and Keep Important Documents

Get together any documents you are legally entitled to keep. This includes your offer letter, employment contract, performance reviews, pay stubs, and any communication about your termination.

Do not try to get into your job’s computer or paperwork systems you no longer have authorization to use, and do not take confidential company materials. Focus on records about your own employment history.

Ask for a Written Explanation of Your Termination

If your employer did not give you a written reason for your firing, ask for one. Employers are sometimes reluctant to put their stated reasons in writing. Inconsistencies between what they say and what they later claim in legal proceedings can be useful evidence.

Be Careful About What You Sign

Many employers present terminated employees with a severance agreement that includes a release of legal claims. You are not obligated to sign anything your employer gives you when they fire you without having an attorney review it first. Signing one of these documents typically means giving up your right to sue.

Contact an Annapolis, MD Employment Attorney Before Filing Any Complaint

Attorney Freedman is rated one of the top employment lawyers in the Annapolis area and represents employees in wrongful termination cases in both Maryland state and federal court. Freedman Law, LLC is hands-on, personally accessible, and available 24/7. When you need a Baltimore employment lawyer who will give your case direct personal attention, call 410-290-6232 to get started.