Employment laws can help you protect your rights as the employee in certain situations. If you feel you have been unjustly treated by your employer then you can seek counsel from an employment lawyer and decide on a legal course of action.
Here are five reasons why you might need an employment lawyer.
Wrongful Termination
If you think you have been fired from your job without just cause then it is in your best interest to consult with an employment lawyer. Laws about wrongful termination can differ from state to state. They can even differ from one place to another in the same state. So, you will need to hire a local lawyer with experience in handling cases similar to your own. For instance, employment lawyers in Los Angeles can provide you with the right counsel as per California laws but also city-specific employment laws.
You may have legal recourse if you think you were fired due to your pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion. If you were fired for threatening retaliation after you experienced sexual harassment at work then you may have a case against your employer.
Discriminatory Practices at Work
Discriminatory practices at work are quite common. Oftentimes; employees may refrain from taking any action against such practices for fear of losing their job or retaliation by their employers or supervisors. But with a good employment lawyer by your side, you need not fear to fight for your rights.
Discrimination against employees can happen due to their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion, or pregnancy. Your employer may hold off your promotion or salary hike. You may not get the right kind of projects to work on as per your abilities. Discrimination at work can take many forms. An employment lawyer’s counsel can help you greatly in such situations.
Whistleblowing Situations
If you decide to report any unlawful activities undertaken by your employer then you are protected by law depending on your location. For instance, as per the law; employers in California cannot retaliate against their employee who decides to disclose information about them.
The whistleblower is protected by law. But employees may not know about it. Your employment lawyer can provide you with all the information you need and also help you take the right legal action.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment at workplaces is a grave issue. But fortunately, there are laws in place to help the victims. You can take legal action against any person in your workplace who sexually harassed you. If your employer was in the know about the situation and did nothing to stop the harassment then you can take legal action against your employer too.
You may also have a case if you witness someone at work sexually harassing another. Sexual harassment cases are also valid if your harasser is of the same gender as you. Depending on the nature of the harassment, your lawyer can offer the right counsel to you.
Wage or Salary Issues
Issues of minimum wages paid sick time off, and overtime is also valid problems at workplaces. In case you are experiencing wage or salary issues at work, you may want to discuss it with an employment lawyer to see if you have a case against your employer.
If you are not paid the minimum wage as per the laws of your state or city then you can take legal action to help your case. If your employer is adding your tips to make up your minimum wage, you can take legal action against the employer.
If you are not paid your overtime rates then you can discuss the situation with an employment lawyer to see if you can do something about it legally. Overtime rates are usually more than your normal hourly rates. But there is also the issue of authorized and unauthorized overtime work and that can affect your situation. For instance, as per California law; employers are required to pay the overtime rates even for unauthorized work. But you may be subject to disciplinary action for unauthorized overtime jobs.
An employment lawyer can help you in all the above-mentioned situations.
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