Protect your Employment Rights
There are several laws like the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that protect employees; however, there are still employers who may ignore or break employment laws.
Your employer could be paying you less than minimum wage, not paying you for overtime work, not providing you with workers' compensation if you were hurt at work, or you could be experiencing harassment or discrimination at work. Lawyers specializing in employment laws could be the answer to protecting your rights.
Employment lawyers deal with employment issues and can help advise you on most matters regarding labor law and the workplace.
The situations below are examples of common problems faced by employees.
Discrimination
Sadly, discrimination on the basis of color, race, sexual orientation, age, gender (sex), and age still happens in the workplace. These types of harassment have been made illegal under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Generally speaking, if there is conduct that creates a work environment that is "intimidating, hostile, or offensive to reasonable people," then there are grounds for filing a claim. The law not only protects workers if there has been harassment by the employer; it also covers the situation where an employer has allowed harassment to occur.
Minimum Wage Violations
The FLSA has been in place for over 70 years, yet there are employers who still do not pay their eligible employees the current federal minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour.
There are certain employees who are exempt from this requirement, but if your position is not in any of those exceptions, then your employer must at least pay you the federal minimum wage rate. There are some states that have a higher minimum wage than the federal rate, so in such cases, you would be entitled to the higher minimum wage rate.
Overtime Payment Violations
The FLSA has established rules regarding payment for working overtime hours. The federal law defines overtime as working more than 40 hours per workweek.
Eligible non-exempt employees who work overtime are to be paid at least 1.5 times their normal pay rate. Employers try to get around paying their employees overtime by putting in place a "no overtime" policy, denying valid overtime claims, or misclassifying you as "exempt."
Workers' Compensation
If you are hurt at work, then you are entitled to workers' compensation. Employers are required to have insurance to cover their employees in case of work-related injuries.
Employers sometimes deny employees workers' compensation by:
- Claiming the employee was not injured at work
- Stating the employee had the injury before they started working for the employer
- Claiming the employee did not meet filing deadlines for workers' compensation
Laws concerning employment issues can be complex and confusing. An experienced employment lawyer will be able to guide you through the complexities of the law.
You may be entitled to compensation for enduring harassment from your employer or colleagues, payment for overtime work you have done, the correct wage rate if you are being underpaid, or the benefits from workers' compensation.
Call Sokolove Law for Employment Issues
If your employer has violated your rights in any of the above situations, then your employer has broken the law.
Sokolove Law has more than 45 years of experience in helping employees protect their rights. Our lawyers will work with you and guide you through the legal process to help get you the compensation to which you are entitled.
Call Sokolove Law today for a free no-obligation legal consultation.
