3 Things an Employment Lawyer Can Do
Because employment lawyers specialize in employment law, they are the best people to contact when you have an issue in the workplace. From negotiating employment contracts and wages to ensuring that your employer complies with the law, employment lawyers can help you with virtually any work-related situation.
For instance, a wrongful termination lawyer can help you receive compensation when you’ve been unfairly dismissed, and a radical discrimination lawyer can ensure your rights are protected if you’re facing discrimination. Employment lawyers can represent employees, employers, or both.
If you’re an employee, here are three things an employment lawyer can do for you.
1. Protect Your Rights
As an employee, your rights are protected by federal and state laws. If your employer violates these laws by harassing or bullying you, discriminating against you, or dismissing you unfairly, you can contact an employment lawyer and bring a claim against them.
Discrimination
If your employer treats you with unfair scrutiny or treats you less favorably than other employees due to your race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, pregnancy, or ethnicity, they are in violation of the anti-discrimination laws stipulated in the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission).
Specifically, the EEOC Act protects you from unfair treatment, harassment, retaliation, and failure to accommodate your religious beliefs or disability.
If you have experienced any form of discrimination in the workplace, you are entitled to contact an employment lawyer and file a claim.
Unfair Dismissal
Unfair dismissal occurs when an employer terminates an employee’s contract and the termination is unlawful – such as a violation of state and federal law or a breach of one or more terms of the employment contract.
Unlawful reasons for dismissal include any form of discrimination, as retaliation to “whistleblowing” or complaints about sexual harassment, or an unsafe or hostile work environment. If an employer fails to follow correct dismissal procedures, the termination is considered unlawful and unfair dismissal.
If you have experienced an unfair dismissal (also known as wrongful termination), you are entitled to bring a claim against your employer and seek compensation.
2. Review Job Offers
An employment lawyer can review any job offers and contracts of employment to ensure that the terms are fair and lawful.
An employment lawyer can also advise you about your obligations, confidentiality, restraint of trade, and probationary clauses in your contract.
3. Advise on Exit Packages and Entitlements
An employment lawyer can review your contract and advise on minimum entitlements for maximum work hours, leave, and requests for flexible working arrangements. Additionally, an employment lawyer can advise on the best course of action if your employer has not complied with your agreements.
If your employer is restructuring the company and making your role redundant, an employment lawyer can advise you about what you are entitled to in redundancy pay.
Furthermore, an employment lawyer can advise whether your employer is complying with legal and consultation requirements if you have received notice that you will become redundant. Additionally, an employment lawyer will be able to advise you on the best course of action if redundancy is not founded.
