Insights

Fired After Reporting in Illinois? Check Your Work Number Termination Reason

Joni Thome — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Many of the people who call our Chicago office tell the same story. They reported harassment to HR, or told a supervisor that something the company was doing was illegal. An investigation or a write-up followed. Then they were let go, and the explanation was vague, verbal, or missing entirely.

How to Freeze The Work Number and See What Equifax Has on You

sjwanta@wantathome.com (Shawn J. Wanta) — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

If you’ve held a W-2 job in the last decade, Equifax probably has a copy of your paychecks. It keeps them in a database and sells the information through a service called The Work Number. Your past employers, every check down to the dollar, your hours, your start and end dates, and the reason you left each job is for sale to lenders, landlords, and employers.

Fired After Reporting in Minnesota? Check Your Work Number Termination Reason

sjwanta@wantathome.com (Shawn J. Wanta) — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Can I find out what my employer told The Work Number about why I left?

Yes. Request your free Employment Data Report at employees.theworknumber.com or by calling 866-604-6570. It shows your employment history as your employers reported it, and it lists every company that pulled your file in the past two years.

Does a Minnesota employer have to tell me why I was fired?

Yes, if you ask. Under Minn. Stat. § 181.933, an employee who was involuntarily terminated may request the reason in writing within 15 working days, and the employer must give the truthful reason in writing within 10 working days of the request.

Is it retaliation if the reason my employer gave The Work Number differs from what I was told?

On its own, a mismatch is one piece of evidence. Courts treat false or shifting explanations for a firing as evidence that the stated reason covers the real one. If you were fired after reporting discrimination, reporting a violation of law, or taking protected leave, a lawyer should see it.

Should I dispute my termination reason with The Work Number?

Save a copy of the report first. If you believe the code was entered to punish you, talk to an employment lawyer before you file the dispute, because your employer’s response can become evidence and the wording matters.

How long do I have to file a retaliation charge in Minnesota?

A charge with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights generally must be filed within one year, and a charge with the EEOC within 300 days. Other claims, including under the Minnesota Whistleblower Act, have their own deadlines.

What Evidence Should I Collect Before Filing an Employment Claim?

sjwanta@wantathome.com (Shawn J. Wanta) — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Losing your job, employers passing you over for opportunities, or dealing with harassment or discrimination at work can leave you with more questions than answers. If you’re wondering, “What evidence should I collect before filing an employment claim?” you don’t need a complete case file before reaching out for help. A seasoned employment attorney can help you understand what additional evidence may be available and whether the facts point to illegal conduct. To get started on your claim, schedule a consultation with our team at Wanta Thome Employment Lawyers today.

Put on a PIP Right After You Complained?

sjwanta@wantathome.com (Shawn J. Wanta) — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

You complained about a genuine problem in the workplace, and suddenly, your performance isn’t good enough.

Write-Ups, Demotions, and Firings: Workplace Retaliation in Chicago

sjwanta@wantathome.com (Shawn J. Wanta) — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Reporting workplace misconduct should never negatively impact your career, yet many employees face backlash. If this sounds familiar, you may be the victim of unlawful workplace retaliation.

Terminated After Reporting Your Boss to HR?

sjwanta@wantathome.com (Shawn J. Wanta) — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Were you terminated after reporting your boss to HR? If you tried to do the right thing at work and got fired right after making a complaint about your supervisor’s unlawful conduct, it may be illegal.

Fired During an HR Investigation You Started?

sjwanta@wantathome.com (Shawn J. Wanta) — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Were you suddenly fired during an HR investigation you started? When this happens, your first thoughts are likely that it was a coincidence.

Know Your Rights When Taking Family or Medical Leave

sjwanta@wantathome.com (Shawn J. Wanta) — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Retaliation against an employee for taking medical leave is a topic workers discuss frequently. An employee returns from an approved medical leave only to face a demotion, pay cut, or termination. You may be wondering what you should do if this exact scenario happens to you.

Working Outdoors in Wildfire Smoke: Your Legal Rights

sjwanta@wantathome.com (Shawn J. Wanta) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:00:00 GMT

If you work construction, landscaping, agriculture, delivery, public works, or any other outdoor job in Minnesota or Illinois, you have likely spent recent summers breathing air that looks and smells like a campfire. Smoke from large wildfires in northeastern Minnesota and southern Canada has pushed fine particle pollution to some of the highest levels ever recorded in parts of Minnesota, prompting an Air Quality Alert, and Chicago and much of Illinois have faced similar episodes.