It's easy to be confused about your rights under an employment-law contract. Some workers don't even know they have a contract, believing they are employed "at will" and can be terminated any time. But language in your employee handbook or a verbal agreement between you and your boss may establish a contract.

Even if you are an "at will" employee, you may be fired under circumstances that are illegal. For instance, if you are fired for reasons that violate federal discrimination laws, you may still have a legal case against your employer.

If you've been fired or feel you've been treated unfairly at work, you have a right to defend yourself. Common issues in employment contracts where a dispute can arise include:

• breach of contract
• severance pay and benefits due
• non-compete agreements
• ownership of patents or other intellectual property
• termination or employment-separation agreements

Employment-contract lawsuits are often in the news, as workers fight for the right to return to their jobs or receive the compensation due them. For instance, recently Walmart was sued by a man fired from a Michigan Walmart store for using legally prescribed medical marijuana outside of business hours, to treat symptoms of his inoperable brain tumor.

Often, disputes arise because contracts are not well-written and don't clearly spell out workers' rights and responsibilities. This can create confusion and leave the contract open to more than one interpretation. Ever-changing federal, state and local laws mean employment contracts may also contain provisions that are illegal.

If you have have a disagreement with your employer about your contract, know your rights. A board-certified expert in employment law at Stepter Law Office can advise you about your options.