Have you ever been in a situation at work where you feel like your employer is treating you unfairly and you just don’t know what to do?
It’s an extremely difficult position to be in, but if your employer isn’t adhering to the law, then it might be worthwhile considering hiring an employment lawyer.
Before you do that though, let’s talk about what you need to know about hiring an employment lawyer!
What Kind of Issues Can an Employment Lawyer Help With?
An top employment lawyer can provide valuable insight into a variety of matters related to the employer-employee relationship, including:
Discrimination
They can help employers ensure they are not unlawfully discriminating in the workplace. This could include actions such as refusing to hire someone based on race, gender or religion. It could also involve creating an internal policy that has a disproportionately negative impact on a certain group of people.
Wages and hours disputes
If a proprietor isn’t properly paying their workers for overtime or is denying them breaks and rest periods, this type of lawyer can help resolve the issue. They can also help employers make sure their pay practices comply with federal and state labor laws.
Wrongful termination
Any termination must be done in accordance with applicable labor laws and should be non-discriminatory in nature. They can help proprietors to ensure that their actions are compliant with applicable regulations.
Retaliation
It is illegal for proprietors to retaliate against workers who have engaged in protected activity such as filing a complaint about discrimination or harassment with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). An experienced attorney can help protect them from potential claims of retaliation.
Contract disputes
If there is a dispute between you and your employee about your contract’s terms, an employment lawyer can help resolve those conflicts and make sure everyone understands what the contract entails from beginning to end.
When Should an Employee Hire an Employment Lawyer?
When dealing with an employment dispute, it is important to know when to hire a lawyer. Consulting with a qualified attorney can help ensure that you understand your rights and make informed decisions about how to proceed.
Here are some situations in which a worker may need the help of an employment lawyer:
- When filing a complaint of workplace discrimination, harassment, or retaliation against an employer. An experienced attorney can help you recognize and document instances of discrimination and build a strong case.
- When your proprietor has violated wage and hour laws and denied you payment for hours worked or overtime pay. An experienced lawyer can help obtain compensation for unpaid wages.
- When negotiating a severance package as part of the end of employment. Your employer may not give you all that is due under the law without being compelled by court action, so having an attorney negotiate on your behalf is critical in such cases.
- When filing for unemployment benefits after being laid off or terminated from your job. A qualified attorney will be able to ensure you get all the benefits you are entitled to under state law – including ensuring that any severance agreement does not affect your eligibility or reduce the amount of compensation due.
- When considering filing a lawsuit against a former or current employer for alleged wrongful conduct, breach of contract or other harm suffered on the job – such as emotional distress or injury from violating safety regulations – it is essential to consult with legal counsel before taking any legal action as these claims can be complicated and costly to pursue without proper advice from an expert in employment law matters.
Benefits of Hiring an Employment Lawyer
Hiring them can be a major benefit to those facing any challenging situation in the workplace. A knowledgeable attorney will have expertise in the laws and regulations affecting employment, such as minimum wage requirements, discrimination claims, and harassment policies. They can provide invaluable guidance during difficult negotiations or if a lawsuit is necessary.
A good employment lawyer will be familiar with the law and take the time to understand your individual case. They should provide support for any issues that occur throughout your case, as well as provide strategic advice on how to approach each situation. They also work on a contingency-fee-basis, which means that clients do not need to pay for their services unless they win their cause of action. This makes them very affordable for individuals who may not have sufficient funds available for legal representation.
Having them on-call can also help you save time and resources by preparing documents and filings properly without wasting needed energy or hours completing paperwork incorrectly. This can be especially helpful when dealing with complex topics such as employee benefits or compliance issues. Furthermore, if you have already gone through the process of filing charges against an employer, having a lawyer can assist you with ensuring that all procedures are followed properly and that your rights remain protected throughout the process.
Conclusion
The decision to hire this type of lawyer can be a difficult one, especially when dealing with a large company or a potentially complex issue. Ultimately, you should make the decision based on what is best for your particular situation. If you feel that the issue is one that you would benefit from having legal support to resolve, then it may be worth contacting an experienced employment lawyer to discuss your options. Keep in mind that many legal matters have important deadlines and statutes of limitations, so do not delay if you decide to pursue legal action.
Asking yourself questions such as “Do I need an employment lawyer?” and considering the potential answers carefully can help ensure that you make an informed decision about your situation and seek help from the right person for your circumstance. In any case, keep in mind that any time spent researching and preparing can help give you a clearer idea of what steps may be beneficial to take next.
