Understanding Labor Laws
Did you know that every worker in the United States is protected by a significant number of federal and state employment laws? Unfortunately, most workers don’t know a thing about their rights.
What is even more devastating is the fact that most workers – from top-level executives to the lowest-ranked workers- only think about their rights as employees once something terrible happens.
Employment laws are designed to protect you from exploitation and illegal activities. They include rules that employers must follow when it comes to wages, hours, overtime pay, termination of employment, benefits, health insurance coverage, and more.
Employment laws also protect you from discrimination based on race, color, gender identity/expression, national origin, or ancestry.
An experienced employment law attorney mainly provides legal representation to employees or employers in cases involving labor law violations. Some of these cases include wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, unpaid wages, and many more.
Besides representing employees and employers in such cases, an experienced employment law attorney can also help an employer adjust their policies and handbooks to changes in labor laws, draft employment contracts, and provide general legal advice on employee-related issues.
Employment law attorneys can also assist you if you are facing any labor disputes or have experienced unfair wage practices.
With their expertise, they can help ensure that your rights as an employee are fully protected and that all applicable laws are adhered to.
At Legal Giant, we connect you with highly experienced employment law attorneys ready to fight for your rights and ensure all your employment rights are respected.
Keep in mind that facing large corporations in a lawsuit can be intimidating, but you don’t have to worry. Our network of employment law attorneys will amplify your voice and fight relentlessly on your behalf.
Know Your Rights as an Employee
As an employee, you have a right to complain about any actions taken in the workplace that violate the employment laws without fear. If you feel discriminated or harassed, you shouldn’t fear reporting your harasser to the appropriate authorities.
Always remember that employment issues can take a wide range of forms. These issues are usually covered by different statutes under the law.
Therefore, your best course of action to resolve any employment-related issue is to hire an experienced employment law attorney to guide you through the case.
Navigating employment law can be quite an intimidating and overwhelming process, but you don’t have to go it alone.
At Legal Giant, we strive to make sure that our clients understand their rights as employees and receive the best legal advice possible.
Our network of experienced employment attorneys is always ready to use every possible resource at their disposal to fight for your rights and ensure you are fully protected in unlawful employment situations.
Are You Ready to Take Action to Assert Your Rights?
Don’t keep quiet if you feel that your rights as an employee have been violated. Act and speak to an experienced employment law attorney who will defend your rights.
On What Grounds Can I Sue My Employer?
There are many grounds for suing an employer, but it largely depends on where you live and work.
Most state laws allow employees to file claims against their employers when there is a breach of contract, sexual harassment, wage theft (unpaid overtime), retaliation, and discrimination based on race, religion, gender, origin, nationality, disability, age, etc.
The list above is not exhaustive because labor laws generally encompass a wide range of issues. An experienced employment law attorney can also help you understand your rights and the applicable laws in your state or locality that protect you from any form of mistreatment.
When you feel like you have been wrongfully treated, don’t keep quiet. Speak up and contact an experienced employment law attorney who will help you identify the applicable laws that protect your rights as an employee and determine if you have a valid case.
Can I Sue My Employer for a Hostile Work Environment?
A hostile work environment is a situation in which an employee faces unwelcome and discriminatory behavior, harassment, or unfair treatment based on certain conditions.
While specific definitions may vary by jurisdiction, the situations often involve discrimination based on race, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or origin.
It’s important to note that not all unpleasant or uncomfortable workplace situations constitute a hostile work environment.
The behavior must be severe or pervasive, and it must create an environment that a reasonable person would find offensive, intimidating, or hostile.
Employees who believe they are facing a hostile work environment have legal protections in place. The primary federal law that addresses this issue is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Other federal laws, such as the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), also provide protections against discrimination based on age and disability, respectively.
However, to have a successful complaint against your employer, you must prove that the alleged hostile environment was so severe that it changed or affected the conditions of your employment quite significantly.
Which Federal Employment Laws Protect You as an Employee?
Specific federal labor laws are in place to provide unwavering protection to employees. Any violations of these laws could land your employer in real trouble.
The first law is the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which is administered and enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
This law requires employers to provide employees with a safe workplace. It defines the acceptable health and safety standards in different places of employment.
Employers are required to ensure that they meet and maintain the health and safety standards to protect employees. OSHA enforces this law by conducting frequent workplace inspections and investigations, especially in industries that have hazardous work environments.
The second is the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain qualifying reasons such as personal illness, the birth of a child, adoption or placement of a foster care child, and other family-related matters.
Employers are not allowed to interfere with, deny, or discourage employees from using the leave they are entitled to under the FMLA. Any violation of this law is punishable by fines, jail time, or both.
The third and last federal employment law worth mentioning is the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which sets forth minimum wage requirements and overtime pay standards.
The FLSA requires employers to pay employees at least the federal minimum wage and overtime pay for any hours worked above 40 in each week. Employers must also keep accurate records of employee hours worked and wages paid. Any violations of this law are punishable by fines or jail time.
It’s important to note that there are other federal labor laws that protect employees from discrimination, harassment, and other forms of mistreatment.
Therefore, you should always seek the help of an experienced employment law attorney to ensure your rights are fully protected in any type of employment situation.
What Does an Employment Lawyer Do?
An employment lawyer specializes in representing and protecting employees in the workplace. They have a deep knowledge of employment laws, labor regulations, and employee rights.
Employment lawyers provide legal advice to assist their clients in any type of employment-related matters such as wrongful termination, discrimination or harassment complaints, wage disputes, contract negotiations, and other issues that may arise during the course of employment.
If you feel like your rights are being violated in the workplace, or if you think your employer is violating certain labor laws, talk to an experienced employment law attorney for help.
A reliable and knowledgeable attorney will help you understand your rights under the applicable laws and advise you on how to proceed with any legal action to obtain a favorable outcome for your case.
An employment law attorney can help you with different types of cases, including those that involve:
- Filing complaints against your employer with the appropriate government agency.
- Research previous cases and labor laws that apply to your case to provide comprehensive legal guidance.
- Handling cases and lawsuits regarding unpaid wages, discrimination, and even class action lawsuits
- Informing you of your rights under specific labor laws and your rights related to labor unions.
- Representing you in arbitration and negotiating with your employer to reach a fair settlement.
Legal Giant Can Help You Fight for Your Rights as an Employee
As an employee, you have certain rights under federal and state law. Nobody can take that privilege away.
At Legal Giant, we believe that every employee deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Our network of highly experienced employment law attorneys is dedicated to protecting your rights in the workplace.
They have a deep understanding of employment law and will fight hard to get you the justice you deserve.
So, if you believe that your employer is violating certain laws or discriminating against you, contact us today and let us connect you with an experienced attorney who will fight for your rights.