| How to Make a Fly Trap Posted: 12 Oct 2016 05:00 PM PDT Flies can be a problem, whether they are in the house, on the porch, or in your garden. While there are many traps and sprays you can buy in stores, they can often contain chemicals which smell bad and are dangerous to your health. Fly swatters are great for a lone fly, but an onslaught can be hard to contain. A great, natural solution to your fly problem is to make your own fly trap. In a few, quick steps, you can be managing the problem, and on your way to eradicating every fly in sight. EditMaking a Bottle Fly Trap - Grab an empty soda bottle. This can be one that is used, or simply pour out the soda. Make sure that all the soda has been removed and that it has been washed out with warm water.[1]
- Cut the top off from the bottle. Use a pair of scissors. Poke a hole through the bottle using one of the blades on the scissors. Do this right where the funnel of the soda bottle ends, and where the large shaft begins (near the middle of the bottle).[2]
- After you have poked the hole in the bottle, insert your scissors and cut around the bottle. Cut off the entire top funnel, so that what you have left are two separated pieces: funnel (top) and shaft (bottom).
- Try to cut as close to the edge of the funnel as possible, otherwise when you flip the funnel upside-down it wont stay in place.
- You can also use a sharp knife to cut the top funnel off, but make sure not to cut yourself. If you are doing this project with your kids, it is better to use a safe pair of scissors.
- Flip the cut piece over. Stick it into the bottom half of the bottle. If you cut close enough to the edge of the funnel, it should stick inside as you slide it in.
- Join the two cut edges of the bottle parts together. The simplest and most effective way is to staple the edges together. Simply staple three or four times around the bottle, equidistant from one another.[3]
- If this project is done with children, an adult should staple the two parts together. If you do not have a stapler, the following two options work fine as well.
- Tape is another good option, but make sure that the tape is water resistant. Apply three or four pieces of tape around the funnel.
- If you wish to use superglue, or regular glue, that will also have to be water resistant. Before you add the funnel, apply a thin layer of glue around the top inside of the base. Then insert the funnel upside-down. Use your fingers and press the funnel with the base. Hold the two pieces into place until it is dry.
- Create a melted sugar mixture. Pour five tablespoons of sugar into a pot. Place the pot on a stovetop. Flatten sugar so that it lies evenly across the bottom of the pot.[4]
- Pour in enough water to cover the top of the sugar. Slowly heat the mixture on medium-high heat until it boils.
- Stir the mixture well. Dissolving sugar in hot/warm tap water makes sweet water but boiling makes "syrup", a more concentrated attractant. Let the liquid sit until it goes from hot to warm.
- Spoon the liquid into the funneled end of the bottle. Try and drip it down the edges of the funnel so that when the flies come towards the funnel, they will stick right from the start.
- Use another type of bait. You can slice up some apple chunks, and push them through the bottom of the funnel. A piece of raw meat will work as well, as does a few tablespoons of old wine. You can also simply add in water mixed with either sugar or honey.
- Add in vinegar. If your bait of choice is a liquid, add in a few teaspoons of vinegar, preferably white vinegar. This will help keep bees and other unwanted insects away from the trap.[5]
- Put the bottle in a sunny spot. This will help the fruit/meat to rot and thereby increase the likelihood of flies smelling the bait. It will also cause liquid mixtures to evaporate, thereby creating a pheromone, drawing the flies towards the trap. Marvel at your new fly trap as it catches flies.
- Repeatedly breathe into the bottle. This will improve your results because insects are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide. You can also rub the bottle in between your two hands to create more heat.
- Throw the bottle away. After you see that flies begin to accumulate, throw the bottle away, and create another one. Eventually the effects of your bait will be used up, and you will have to start again. If you try to empty the bottle, it will be hard because flies/bait will get stuck to the inside of the funnel. You also do not want to have to handle dead flies with your hands.
EditCreating a Tin Can Fly Trap - Find a suitable can. A standard size dog food can or a soup can are perfect. Remove the paper label, the can lid, and wash it clean with warm water. Dry before proceeding to the next step.
- Cut out lengths of duct tape. They need to be long enough to wind around the can. Try not to touch the sticky ends, or get them dirty, otherwise the trap will not work.
- Wrap the lengths around the can. Press the duck tape tightly against the can with your hands. Give the duck tape a gentle rub in order to transfer the stickiness.[6]
- Remove the duct tape from the can. The surface of the can will now be sticky. Gently touch the can to see how sticky it is. If it is not very sticky, repeat with new lengths of duct tape.
- Tape a small flashlight to the underside of a can lid. Put the lid over the base of the flashlight. This will create a base for the fly trap. It is best if you can find a UV flashlight, as flies are mostly attracted to UV light.[7]
- Put the can outside at night. Sit the can upright so that all the stickiness is available to catch flies. Switch on the flashlight and place it into the can. Make sure that the flashlight is upright, and has new batteries in it.[8]
- Wait for the flies. They'll be attracted to the light but get stuck on the sticky sides of the can.
- Replace the can. If you have successfully caught flies with the can, it is best to throw it away. Make sure to use a pair of gloves when you contact the can, so you do not have to touch the flies. It might be best to have a plastic grocery store bag ready to place the can in, before you throw it away in the trash.[9]
EditInventing a Plastic/Glass Jar Fly Trap - Obtain a small container. This can be either a glass jar (jelly jar) or a plastic container, something you might put nuts or peanut butter in. If the container or jar has a lid, remove it.
- Add vinegar to the container. Buy a jar of apple vinegar and pour about an inch or so of it into the container. This will attract the flies to the container.[10]
- Add dish soap to the vinegar. Use a few drops of dish detergent or soap to the vinegar to break the surface tension. Otherwise, the flies can use their legs to stand on top of the vinegar and drink it up.[11]
- Add fruit/raw meat. Instead of adding the vinegar/dish soap mixture to your container, fruit and meat are also okay options. Simply chop up what you want to add in, and place it in the bottom of the container. The rotting smell of the food will attract the flies to the container.[12]
- Cover the container in plastic wrap. Rip off a piece that is at least three inches by three inches. Press the wrap tightly around the rim of the container with your hands. If the plastic wrap is not staying in place, add a few pieces of tape, or place a rubber band around the wrap.[13]
- Poke holes in the plastic wrap. Use a tooth pick, scissors, knife, etc. to poke at least four small holes in the plastic wrap. This will allow the flies to gain entry into the trap.[14]
- Place the trap outside. The flies will enter the trap through the holes. However, it will be almost impossible for them to escape, because they will not be able to find the holes. They will also be inclined to snack on whatever is in the container.
- Kill the flies. Some of the flies will have likely died in the trap over a period of time. However, some other flies will likely still be eating whatever you put in the container. Bring the trap inside of the house and place it near the sink. Turn on the hot water in your sink. Make sure that the stopper is down, so your sink fills up. When it is filled, place the container in the sink for ten minutes. This will drown the flies.
- Throw out the dead flies. Remove the plastic wrap and throw it away. Put the container in your trash can and bang the container against the inside of the can. Do this until all the flies have been removed, along with whatever mixture you put in there to begin with.[15]
- Disinfect the container. You can do this by simply washing the container out with soap and warm water. You can also use certain safe chemicals which will make sure the container is clean and ready to use again. After the container is clean, you can use it again to make another trap.[16]
EditProducing Your Own Sticky Fly Paper - Get out a grocery store paper bag. The bag should generally should be tall, as you will need to make long strips of sticky fly paper. Do not use plastic bags, otherwise the sticky mixture won't stick to the plastic.
- Cut out strips of paper. Use a pair of scissors, and cut out strips that are about one inch by six inches. You will need about four-five of these strips. After you have them cut out, lay them flat on the table.[17]
- Poke holes in the strips. Use a pair of scissors, or a knife and poke a hole about one inch from the end of the strip. Do this to each strip. You can also use a hole-punch if you have one of those as well.[18]
- Tie a string through the hole. Cut a piece of string/wire that is at least six inches long. You will need strings for each strip of paper. Feed the string/wire through the hole and tie a knot.How to Tie a Knot
- Make a sugar mixture. Place one part sugar, one part honey, and one part sugar into a saucepan. Put the saucepan on the stove, and heat on medium-high until the ingredients are mixed in well. After the ingredients are mixed, let the mixture cool to room temperature.[19]
- Dip the paper into the mixture. Place each strip into the mixture in order to coat it in syrup. Place each strip on a baking sheet, and let the strips dry out.
- Hang the strips up. Find a nail, or a tack, and hand the string up. You can either place them all near each other, or hang them all around the house. Hanging them near one another will make a more effective trap.[20]
- Throw the paper away. After your strips have been coated in flies, simply take them down and throw them away. If for some reason the strips are not working, it is likely that they do not have enough syrup on them. You can always make a new batch of syrup and dip the paper in again, or start over entirely and make new strips.
- Make sure that the batteries in your flashlight have been recently replaced and that they are charged up.
- You can also use a bug spray to kill the bugs in method three if you do not want to drown them in your sink.
- Instead of using half of the bottle as a funnel in method one, you can also use a paper funnel. Simple twirl a piece of printer paper until it curls up into the shape of a funnel and stick it in the base of the bottle.
- Make sure that when you disinfect the can that you are using safe chemicals.
- If you notice that your traps are luring dangerous insects like hornets, buy a bug spray and kill them before you go near the trap.
- This trap will act as a fly attractant, so you will want to place the trap a reasonable distance from where you will be eating.
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| How to Cure Nausea Naturally Without Medication Posted: 12 Oct 2016 09:00 AM PDT Nausea, which may occur alone or with vomiting, is a symptom of an underlying condition. It is a feeling of uneasiness or queasiness centered around your stomach or abdomen. Nausea can be caused by a number of conditions, including gastroenteritis, pregnancy, chemotherapy, and so on. There are a number of things you can do to cure nausea naturally, including taking herbal remedies and trying alternative methods. EditMaking Quick Changes - Avoid strong odors and smoke. Stay away from things that can trigger either nausea or vomiting. Clear out strong odors and smoke by opening a window. Otherwise, try going out into the fresh air.
- Use a cold compress. Heat can contribute to nausea, especially if your body starts to overheat. Try a cold compress to cool your forehead. Avoid heat and humidity if possible.
- Heat exhaustion can cause nausea, and is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as dizziness, headache, profuse sweating, fatigue, and others.[1] Get out of the heat and into a cool room.
- Get some rest. Try to sleep through your nausea. This can also help you handle stress, anxiety and muscle strain, which can cause nausea. Rest and relax as much as you can.
- Keep still. Movement can increase the feeling of nausea. Keep your body as still as possible. Try lying down in a dark, quiet room.
- Eat bland foods and liquids. Stick with unspiced, lean foods that are gentle on your stomach.[2] [3]These include foods such as whole grain crackers, rice or sesame crackers, brown rice, toasted whole-grain bread, or chicken without the skin. You can also try chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- Eat small amounts of food to start.
- Spicy or fatty foods can worsen nausea. Many people experience worsening nausea with tomatoes, acidic foods (like orange juice, pickles), chocolate, ice cream and eggs.
- Try the BRAT diet. The BRAT diet consists of bananas, rice, applesauce and dry toast. This is often recommended for nausea.[4]
- Drink lots of room temperature water. Make sure you drink as much water as you can. Dehydration can make you feel worse. For nausea, room temperature water is generally best tolerated.
- Sip the water slowly. Drinking water too fast can make your stomach feel unsettled.
- Try breathing exercises. The University of Connecticut conducted a study which indicated that controlled, deep breathing can help relieve nausea.[5] Other studies have indicated that breathing can help control nausea after surgery.[6] Try this exercise adapted from the University of Missouri at Kansas City:[7]
- Lie flat on your back. Use pillows under your knees and neck to make sure you are comfortable.
- Put your hands palms down on your stomach, right below the rib cage. Place the fingers of your hands together so you can feel them separate and know you are doing the exercise correctly.
- Take a long, slow deep breath by expanding your belly, breathing like a baby breathes. This ensures that you are using your diaphragm to breathe rather than your rib cage. The diaphragm creates suction that pulls more air into your lungs than can be achieved by expanding the rib cage. Your fingers should separate as they lie on your belly.
- Breathe in this manner for at least 5 minutes.
EditTrying Herbal Remedies - Take ginger capsules. Ginger has been used to treat nausea of many different causes including chemotherapy-induced nausea [8], [9], [10], and the nausea of early pregnancy.[11], [12] Ginger works by inhibiting or suppressing certain types of brain and gut receptors that are related to the sense of nausea.[13]
- For nausea after chemotherapy, the recommended dose is 1,000-2,000mg in capsule form every day for the first 3 days.[14],[15][16]
- For morning sickness in early pregnancy, take 250mg of ginger 4 times a day.[17]
- Ginger has also been studied for the treatment of post-surgical nausea and has been shown to be very effective. [18], [19] Be sure to tell your doctor that you want to take ginger, since it may increase the amount of bleeding during surgery.[20] Take 500-1,000 mg one hour before surgery.
- For nausea associated with food poisoning, gastroenteritis and most other non-serious causes, take 250-1,000 mg of ginger 4 times a day.[21]
- Do not give ginger to children under 12 months old.[22]
- Make ginger tea. If you prefer ginger tea to a capsule, you can also make your own ginger tea at home. Drink 4-6 cups of this tea daily.
- Buy fresh ginger and cut off a 2-inch piece.
- Wash the ginger and peel or cut off the tan-colored "skin" to get to the paler, almost lemon-yellow ginger.
- Cut the ginger into small pieces. You can use a grater, but watch your fingers when grating. You need about a tablespoon of ginger.
- Add the ginger pieces to 2 cups of boiling water.
- Cover the pan and boil for another minute.
- Turn off the heat and let the ginger tea steep for 3-5 minutes.
- Pour off a cup and add honey or stevia to taste
- Cool to a comfortable temperature and sip the tea.
- Stay away from ginger ale. Relieving nausea is more effective with fresh ginger rather than ginger ale. First of all, most ginger ales do not contain real ginger. Second, they either have high levels of sugar, or high levels of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). When you are nauseous, you should avoid all sugars. The sugar generally makes you feel worse, since both high and low blood sugar can cause nausea![23][24]
- Try other herbal teas. Peppermint, clove and cinnamon may help relieve nausea, although it is not clinically known how this works. It's possible that the herbs directly affect nausea centers in the brain. This helps to reduce any viral or bacterial infection that may be causing nausea. These herbal teas may also simply allow you to relax and minimize the sense of nausea.[25]
- Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is another remedy for nausea that has been used in tea form for centuries. It may be particularly helpful when used to treat nausea associated with migraines.[26]
- Do not take feverfew if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, camomile, yarrow, or daisies. These may be cross-allergies.
- To make these teas, steep a teaspoon of the dried powder or leaf in 1 cup of boiled water. Add honey or stevia (and lemon) to taste.
- These herbs all have been traditionally used to treat nausea and are all recognized as safe to use.[27]
EditTrying Alternative Remedies - Try aromatherapy. Aromatherapy uses essential oils derived from plants for healing purposes. Put a drop of peppermint oil or lemon oil on the insides of your wrists and on your temples.
- Check to make sure you don't have a skin sensitivity to essential oils by putting a single drop of the oil on your wrist. If you are sensitive to it, you may experience a rash, redness or itching. If you do have a sensitivity, try another oil.
- Both peppermint and lemon oil have been traditionally used to treat nausea.[28] Several studies indicate that relief from peppermint or lemon oil may be due to direct action on the brain's center, which influences nausea. It's also possible that the oils are relaxing, thereby reducing feelings of nausea.[29]
- In order for this to be effective, use concentrated essential oils. Peppermint or lemon candy or scents are not likely to have real peppermint or lemon oil. In addition, they are not likely to have these substances at high enough levels to be useful.
- Use caution when trying aromatherapy if you have asthma. Strong scents such as those in aromatherapy oils can cause wheezing in people with asthma.
- Get acupressure. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body is viewed as having a system of energy meridians networked throughout. Applying needles (as in acupuncture) or pressure (as in acupressure) to specific points along these meridians can re-balance the energy and reduce the symptoms. Try the "p6", "Nei guan" or "inner gate" point to relieve nausea. This is located about 2 finger-widths below the crease of your wrists (at the base of the palms).
- Start with your palms facing you. Feel for two tendons around the midpoint of that area above your wrist.
- Using the index and middle finger of the opposite hand, apply firm, but gentle pressure for about 10-20 seconds and release.
- Repeat on the other arm.
- You can also press on the p6 point while also pressing on the outer side of your wrist at the same time. To do so, use your thumb on p6 and your index finger on the other side of the same arm. Hold for 10-20 seconds and release.
- Repeat as often as necessary. You can also hold it for longer periods of time, even up to a minute or two.
- Do this before every meal or beverage.[30]
EditIdentifying Causes of Nausea - Consider if you've got a stomach bug. The most common cause of nausea is a viral infection of the stomach called viral gastroenteritis. Viral gastroenteritis is caused by a number of different viruses including the norovirus and the rotavirus.[31]
- Symptoms of rotavirus might include: diarrhea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. You may also be dehydrated and have no appetite.[32]
- Norovirus symptoms include: diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, body aches and fever.[33]
- Take a pregnancy test. Another common cause of nausea in women is early pregnancy. In this case, it is often called "morning sickness" and is often the first sign of pregnancy. Contrary to its name, morning sickness doesn't only happen in the morning. A pregnant woman can feel nauseated any time of day.
- Check your medications. Many types of medications can cause nausea. These include medications such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), antibiotics, and chemotherapy. General anesthesia may also make you nauseous after you wake up.
- Identify any other causes. There are a number of other factors that can contribute to nausea. These can include ear infections and a number of ear conditions, head injuries, food poisoning and radiation therapy.
- If you are nauseous for more than 1-2 days after trying home remedies, call your physician or healthcare professional. If you are nauseous and are vomiting, call your physician or healthcare professional for advice right away. While waiting for an appointment, you can try the remedies described
- Ask your doctor about serious medical conditions. Nausea can also be a symptom of serious medical conditions including heart attacks and heart disease, liver disease, viral infections of the brain (meningitis, encephalitis), pancreatitis (an inflammation of the pancreas) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
- Nausea can also be a symptom of sepsis or shock. It could indicate swelling of the brain and increased pressure due to stroke, heat stroke, or head trauma. It may also be a result of environmental toxins.
- Talk to your doctor if you have more symptoms beyond nausea. If you are nauseous and are vomiting AND have any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. These could be signs of a serious problem:[34]
- Chest pain
- Severe abdominal cramping or pain
- Headache
- Blurry vision
- Fainting or dizziness
- Confusion
- Pale skin that is cold and/or clammy
- High fever with a stiff neck
- If you vomit and see something that looks like coffee grounds, looks like or smells like stool
- If vomiting accompanies nausea, watch for signs of dehydration. These include thirst, decreased frequency of urination, a dark urine, dry mouth, sunken or darkened eyes, and crying without tears. If any of these happen, call your physician immediately.
- If you have persisting nausea or nausea accompanied by excessive vomiting, see your doctor immediately.
- Children under two years old should not be given ginger.
- Some natural remedies may interact with current medications. Discuss these options with your pharmacist or doctor.
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| How to Win a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Posted: 12 Oct 2016 01:00 AM PDT Wrongful termination is difficult to prove, because most states have an "at will" policy when it comes to employment. Under this policy, either the employee or the employer may terminate employment at any time without consequence. However, there are illegal reasons to terminate an employee. Winning a wrongful termination suit requires that you produce sufficient facts that you were terminated illegally. EditDocumenting the Termination - Record your impressions of the termination. Write down all the circumstances of your termination while they are fresh in your mind.
- Create a timeline of events, when you were notified and when you were asked to leave. Document the names of everyone involved.
- Get copies of all paperwork. Be sure to have a copy of your termination notice.[1]
- Secure a copy of your personnel file. Ideally, you will have kept a record of all official communications, such as prior reprimands or commendations, as well as informal comments and information about raises.[2]
- Employers sometimes like to hustle people out of the building immediately after being terminated. You may not have time to return to your office and make copies to take home with you.
- Store copies of annual reviews, correspondence, emails, and employee handbooks at home. In this way you will have easy access to this material.
- Keep pay stubs and financial records. You will need to prove how much the wrongful termination cost you in money. Pay stubs will help establish the amount of wages you lost.[3]
- Speak to co-workers to uncover if you are being singled out. If you were fired for making an error, speak to coworkers who also made the same error. If someone else made the same mistake but did not receive the same punishment, this could be proof of discrimination.
- Common reasons for termination are poor job performance and absenteeism. Your termination letter should specify your violation.
- Particularly seek out co-workers who differ from you in terms of age, race, gender, or religion. If they were treated differently, then you may have strong evidence of discriminatory intent.
- Send a follow-up email to your supervisor. If you are fired in person, follow up with an email to your supervisor summarizing the contents of the discussion. This might be the sole record of the meeting you have.
- Stay professional and don't send the email until you can avoid being argumentative. The purpose of the email is simply to document the discussion.
- If you do not feel comfortable sending an email, then simply makes notes about the conversation as soon as possible.
EditAnalyzing Your Case - Determine if you work in an "at will" state. Every state except for Montana is considered at will.[4] This means employers can terminate your employment at any time.
- There are important limitations to "at will" termination. For example, your employer cannot fire you for an illegal reason, such as gender or racial discrimination, or in retaliation for you exercising a legal right.
- You may also not be fired for refusing to perform an illegal act.
- Also, an employer may not make your work environment so uncomfortable that he can anticipate that you will quit. This is called "constructive discharge."
- Look for an employment contract. If you signed a contract when you began working, that contract should spell out the terms of your employment and the steps for termination.
- Gather employee handbooks and policy manuals. Some states will consider handbooks, policy manuals and other documentation as creating "implied contracts" between employer and employee. Your implied contract might entitle you to a notice period or severance pay before being terminated.
- Language in a handbook must be sufficiently clear that a reasonable employee would believe that a contract is being offered. For example, language such as "shall" or "must" or "never" before a promise is sufficiently clear evidence of a contractual promise.[5]
- But a clear disclaimer stating you have been hired "at will" and that the handbook is not a contract trumps any implied contract.[6]
- Review a union contract. A union contract supersedes the "at will" doctrine.[7] The union contract should spell out grounds for dismissal, as well as employer procedure.
- Speak to an attorney. Employment law differs from state to state, and the facts of your case are unique. Only a qualified employment attorney can offer tailored legal information.
- To find an attorney, contact your state bar association. They should have a referral system.
- If costs are a concern, most attorneys will represent you under a contingency fee agreement. Under this arrangement, an attorney only gets paid if she wins your case. Typically, she will get around 30-40% of the award amount.
- Under a contingency fee agreement, clients still most pay for costs, such as filing and service fees, so be sure to budget for that.
EditFiling a Complaint - Find the appropriate forum. If you have a breach of contract claim, then you may file for suit in civil court.
- However, if you allege discrimination, you probably need to exhaust administrative remedies first at either the state or federal level. If you allege discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, color, genetic information, or retaliation, then file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).[8]
- You may also file discrimination claims with state agencies. For example, in California, almost all plaintiffs file with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing because the state agency's rules are more advantageous that the federal ones. In California, you can also request an immediate right to sue and skip the administrative process.
- Constructive discharge suits are brought in both state and federal courts.[9]
- Perform a self-assessment. Visit the EEOC's online self-assessment tool to find out if the EEOC is the right agency for you to file with.
- You have 45 days from the discriminatory action to contact an EEOC counselor.[10] Be prompt.
- Fill out a complaint. You initiate a wrongful termination suit by filling out the appropriate form. The correct form depends on whether you are suing for breach of contract or filing a complaint for discrimination/retaliation with the EEOC or a comparable state agency.
- In state court actions for breach of contract, you may secure a blank complaint form from the County Clerk. You will fill in your name as plaintiff and your employer's name as defendant.
- You initiate the EEOC process by first contacting the office. An EEOC counselor will discuss your rights with you.[11] After your final interview, your counselor will give you a letter with information about how to file the complaint.
- State agency rules may differ from the EEOC. If you choose to file with a state agency, contact them about proper requirements and procedures.
- File soon. Whether filing a breach of contract claim in state court or a complaint with an administrative agency like the EEOC, you cannot sit on your rights. You must file before certain deadlines.
- Statute of limitations for breach of contract vary by state. In California, you must file suit within 4 years. In Illinois, you have 10 years.[12]
- You must file a formal complaint with the EEOC within 15 days of receiving notice from your counselor about how to proceed.[13] File the complaint at the EEOC office where you were counseled.
- Allege illegal termination. In order to win a wrongful termination lawsuit, you will need to prove that your termination was illegal.
- If suing for breach of contract, you should quote the contract provision your employer violated. For example, if you were promised employment for 3 years, quote the provision that says that. Attach a copy of the employment contract to your complaint.
- In an EEOC formal complaint, you must include your name, address, and telephone number; a short description of the discriminatory events; why you believe you were discriminated/retaliated against (e.g., race); and a description of any injury you have suffered.[14] The complaint must also be signed by you or your lawyer.
EditProceeding with a Lawsuit - Perform discovery. In a lawsuit, each side is able to request documents in the possession or control of the other party. If you don't already have copies of your employee handbook or personnel file, then you can request them now.
- Ask for copies of internal checklists or procedures. Companies routinely require that checklists be followed when firing someone. If your employer deviated from established protocol, you may have evidence that discrimination or retaliation was the real motivation.
- Sit for your deposition. In addition to exchanging documents, each side is allowed to question witnesses before trial begins in order to establish what each witness knows. As the plaintiff, you most assuredly will be asked to sit for a deposition.
- Prepare thoroughly. Sit down with your attorney and run through questions you will be asked. Be sure to do as many deposition preps as necessary to feel comfortable.
- At the deposition, be sure that you understand the questions thoroughly. Also, never guess; answer "I don't remember" if you do not remember information.[15]
- Oppose the defendant's motion for summary judgment. Many employment suits are dismissed before trial. A defendant will allege that there are no factual disputes to be resolved at trial and that the defendant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.[16]
- Entertain settlement. If the defendant fails to secure summary judgment, it may want to settle. There are many factors you must consider before accepting or rejecting a settlement:
- How strong your case is. You might lose at trial. With a settlement, you at least will gain some compensation.
- The amount offered. If your case is strong but the settlement amount is low, you might want to proceed to trial or counteroffer for a higher amount. Discuss this with your attorney.
- The emotional burden of trial. At trial, the defendant will paint an unflattering picture of you. Cross-examination on the witness stand may also be stressful. If you want to avoid these stressful situations, a settlement may be ideal.
- Go to trial. If settlement talks fail, then only a trial will vindicate your rights. At trial, your attorney will examine witnesses, present evidence, and make a final argument to the judge or jury.
- Prepare to testify. Undoubtedly you will be called to testify at trial. You will be asked about your job performance and about your working relationship with others. Prepare the same way you did for the deposition.
- Assist your lawyer by getting her any documents she needs. Any delays only hurt your case.
- Remember that time is critical when it comes to filing a wrongful termination lawsuit. Courts may look unfavorably on your case if you wait too long to file a charge.
- Some state administrative agencies will allow you to skip the administrative process and proceed immediately to trial. However, in some states, like California, you will not be able to secure this "right to sue letter" unless you have a lawyer.
- Be prepared to defend yourself if your employer claims you were terminated for a specific reason, such as violating a policy or doing poor work. Keep records of performance reviews and other documentation that shows you were a good worker.
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