What does “wrongful termination” refer to?

“Wrongful termination” specifically refers to situations where an employee is terminated in violation of laws, existing contracts, or established public policies. This means that if the dismissal breaches any legal statutes (like discrimination laws), goes against the terms outlined in an employment contract, or contradicts the principles of public policy (such as firing someone for taking family leave), it qualifies as wrongful termination.

The other options do not adequately represent the definition of wrongful termination. For example, termination based on an employee's performance review is generally considered a legitimate reason for dismissal, assuming the review is conducted fairly. Company downsizing is also typically a lawful reason for termination, as it often pertains to business necessity rather than personal misconduct or discriminatory practices. Termination without notice may imply a lack of procedural fairness but does not necessarily mean it was wrongful unless it breached some legal or contractual duty. Thus, the key element of wrongful termination is that it is unlawful and or violates specific agreements and standards, which option B accurately captures.