I worked for a company for a year and a half. I was one of only 13 people promoted this year. I had an outstanding performance review. In addition, I was identified as company succession canidate as well as enrolled in the company's leadership course. In my department I was considered an outstanding worker. I was never involved in any trouble.

I was called into vice presidents of human resources office, in which she told me among thing, "people don't like when other people makes suggestion that affect their section, that they didn't think of." She was referring to a bright idea program the company had that I replied to and the COO embraced as a great Idea.

1 week later she questioned my manager as to how much overtime I was charging for the weekend. This was because someone so me come in on the weekend which we can do there. I was only their because I left my car charger on Friday and I came in to pick it up. I never charge any weekend hour. I asked my manager what was wrong why these questions, and she said she don't know what is wrong but I want you to watch all communication you make. I ask her what she meant and she said watch phone and pointed epically the computer.

1 week after that I was called in to the Vice Presidents office at 3pm in which she questioned me saying that she heard from 3rd party that I have taking intellectual property and counseling coworkers on rebuttals.

5 pm I was called in and told I was being fired because of inappropriate use of the email. No pronograpy, no crime, general emails that everyone uses. She said that periodically do random email checks and found my name.

She said they have a transition check for people like me that they will give me only if I sign all my legal rights away.
Also, this was the only way to handle this an keep it private as my wife works at the company and one email was from another woman.

I feel I received a warning from my direct manager and complied. I was fired and not given a warning from the HR Vice President.

She tried the to threaten me by saying the email communication which I don't care, may get out and my wife may see it.

She tried to bribe me with a check to sign my legal rights away.

My coworker has been in drinking, absence, performance, etc and written up multiple time by the managers and she continually receives warning. The only diffence in us is our race. advise please.

A wrongful termination means that a specific law prohibits the employer from firing you for the reason they did. What law do you think is being violated here?

1. I was given a warning by my manager and I complied

2. I was fired for a policy not enforced by the company. example the policy says any email that does not benefits the company. I sent her happy mothers day emails that violates that policy, and she didn't say anything about violation then. The email is used by everyone in the same capacity. The policy should be enforced by all instead of as a catch all tool to fire.

3. The only difference between me and my coworker is race. Why does she rate repeated warning and I don't rate one??

There is no illegal termination here unless you were terminated JUST because of your race or other protected category (ie gender, age). Ca. is an at-will employment state and you can be terminated at any time for any reason not protected by law unless you had a bona fide employment contract or CBA to the contrary.