Being fired is a harsh experience; being fired at this time is devastating. In California, you are employed at-will unless you have a contract with your employer that defines the terms of your employment. Being "fired at will" means your company can fire you for no reason, and in turn, you can quit your job for no reason. The exception is your company cannot terminate your employment for an illegal reason. Discrimination, harassment, firing someone because the employee(s) reported activities of the company that violate public policy, etc. You need to speak with an attorney and review the circumstances of the termination to see if you have the grounds for bringing a lawsuit against your employer.

Over the years, I've suspected employers fire employees instead of laying them off (as the honest alternative) in order to avoid surcharges to their unemployment insurance accounts, and to quell rumors of a massive layoff (thereby causing other employees to find other jobs and quitting). The proof is the problem.

In your case, while one employee may be in deep denial regarding misconduct or poor performance, all four you were fired at the same time and you state nothing to indicate why this coincidence of 4 firings took place. We know the Covid-19 scare is hitting the automotive manufacturers hard, and of course, there have been 70,000 jobs lost in the economy in just 7 days. People will not be going out this weekend to make impulsive new car purchases, I'm sure.

A creative theory, as yet untested, is that an employer who fires employees without cause in order to avoid laying them off as the truthful alternative to avoid their claim for unemployment insurance benefits may be liable for "wrongful termination in violation of public policy." Why would this theory hold up? Because many uninformed employees falsely assume that getting fired per se disqualifies them from receiving unemployment benefits, and don't even apply. I agree with Mr. Guha. Apply for unemployment benefits.

If the employer responds to your application with a written statement of the reasons for termination and you see those reasons are not only false, but preposterous lies [or doesn't reply at all] then consider my theory for wrongful termination. You can see the employer's written reasons for termination if a hearing is held on your application. Also, California Unemployment Insurance Code 1089 requires employers to give a written Notice to Employee as to Change in Relationship form to all discharged or laid off employees immediately upon termination. That your employer didn't comply with Sec. 1089 will not help in its defense.

Be sure to file for unemployment benefits: https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/filing_a_claim.htm

I am very sorry you are facing this. However, in California you are considered to be at will meaning your employer can terminate you at any time and for any reason or even no reason at all. It remains to be seen if any of the new legislation being passed provides you with any kind of protection against this.

Good luck to you.