What is wrongful termination in Florida?

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Florida is firmly an   at-will employment   state. The Florida Supreme Court has expressly declined to adopt a public policy tort.    1. At-Will Default   Florida follows the traditional at-will rule.  DeMarco v. Publix Super Markets , 384 So. 2d 1253 (Fla. 1980). No just-cause requirement absent a written contract.    2. No General Public Policy Tort   Unlike California, Florida does   not   recognize a common-law wrongful discharge tort for terminations violating public policy.  Hartley v. Ocean Reef Club , 476 So. 2d 1327 (Fla. 3d DCA 1985). Plaintiffs must point to a specific statute.    3. Florida Civil Rights Act — Fla. Stat. § 760.10   Prohibits discriminatory termination based on   race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age (40+), handicap, or marital status  . Applies to employers with   15+ employees  . File with the Florida Commission on Human Relations within   365 days   (more generous than federal 300-day rule).    4. Florida Whistleblower Acts   -   Private-sector Whistleblower Act — Fla. Stat. § 448.102  : Prohibits retaliation against an employee who (a) discloses a violation of law to a government agency, (b) provides information to an investigation, or (c) refuses to participate in a violation of law. Employee must give the employer   written notice and a reasonable opportunity to correct   before disclosing externally. -   Public-sector Whistleblower Act — Fla. Stat. § 112.3187  : Protects government employees.    5. Workers' Comp Retaliation — Fla. Stat. § 440.205   Prohibits termination for filing or threatening to file a workers' compensation claim.    6. No Implied Contract from Handbook   Florida courts treat employee handbooks as non-binding policy statements absent specific contractual language.  Quaker Oats Co. v. Jewell , 818 So. 2d 574 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002).    7. Federal Statutes   Title VII (300-day EEOC charge), ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and Section 1981 all apply. Florida is a deferral state.    8. Damages   Under § 760.11, plaintiffs may recover back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages (capped at $100,000), and attorney's fees.    9. Statute of Limitations   - FCRA: 365 days to file charge with FCHR. - Whistleblower § 448.103:   2 years  .  This is legal information, not legal advice.