When Would You Need an Employment Lawyer & How Is One Helpful?
In case you are not happy with an employee or employer, there might be an easy way to do something about it without making you feel uncomfortable. This is where an employment lawyer comes to the rescue, helping you through the process of filing a complaint or representing you in a dispute. We, at Legal Chiefs, can get you in touch with a local attorney to help you.
Keep scrolling through this page for more details on what an employment attorney does and when you would need to contact one.
When to Hire an Employment Lawyer if You Are the Employee
There is a wide variety of unlawful actions that employers can commit at a disadvantage or violate their employees’ rights. You may want to contact a lawyer in any of the following situations:
● You have been treated (by your employer or a fellow employee) in a discriminatory manner.
● You have been harassed at work.
● Your employer has retaliated against you because you exercised a right such as requesting overtime pay to which you are entitled by law.
● Your employment has been terminated in violation of an employment contract.
● You are forced to sign an agreement waiving rights to which you are entitled.
● Your employer has not given you the benefits to which you are entitled under your contract.
It is recommended that you contact an attorney as soon as you become aware of an issue as any delay could prevent you from proving the conduct committed by the employer. Also, you should consider that there are time limits to asserting rights and complaints under the law. If you can’t find an employment lawyer that can fit you in a tight schedule, we, at Legal Chiefs, are here to help!
When to Hire an Employment Lawyer if You Are the Employer
If you need someone to educate you on any particular federal and state laws that apply in your workplace, an employment attorney can not only do that but also ensure you comply with those laws. You can also ask for help with your obligations with the guidelines of the OSHA as well as environmental regulations. Additionally, an experienced attorney can defend you before a range of governmental boards and agencies in the event you are cited for non-compliance. Consider contacting an attorney if:
● You need representation in collective bargaining negotiations with a union
● An employee has filed a complaint about discrimination or harassment against you
● An employee has filed a lawsuit naming you as a defendant for an employment-related matter
● You plan to lay off or fire a large number of employees, change the current pension plan, or terminate an employee benefits plan
These are just a few of the most common situations, but as you may know, a workplace is subject to many different types of regulations by many different laws, so you’d probably want to be in regular contact with an attorney with expertise in the domains of regulation that affect a particular workplace.
What to Expect in the Process
Any dissatisfaction with an employer or employee should be addressed and dealt with, and often, after filing a complaint and winning, you receive compensation. However, keep in mind that compensation may not always be involved but you may just be allowed to let go of your employee/employees or keep your job if you are the employee. In many cases, you may be able to resolve the issue out of court, which is generally the best-case scenario saving everyone time and money.
Hiring an attorney is your safe bet to win a case or get valuable advice as an experienced employment lawyer, would know your local and state laws and procedures that may be hard to figure out on your own. So having a local attorney is a good idea.
