Employers are not above the law and sometimes it is employers who put their employees in unfavorable, unlawful situations. If that happens to you, it would behoove you to know the situations that warrant contacting an employment law attorney. It is also helpful to know exactly how an attorney can help you if you are ever put in one of those situations.
The Role of an Employment Law Attorney
Employment law attorneys can ensure that you, as an employee, are treated justly and in accordance with the law. An attorney can also let you know when any of your rights have been violated.
Some of the top employment-related issues that employment law attorneys can help you handle are:
- Harassment
- Violations related to contracts
- Retaliation
- Discrimination in the workplace
- Wrongful or illegal termination
These scenarios can present themselves in a variety of scenarios. Knowing what situations are illegal can enable you to understand when it makes sense to reach out to an employment law attorney for assistance.
Situations That Require an Employment Law Attorney
There are certain situations that would warrant reaching out an employment law attorney. From there, an attorney can help you determine if further steps should be taken. First, you need to know which situations warrant reaching out to an attorney. Some of the most common potential situations include:
- You believe you have been discriminated against, retaliated against, or harassed by your employer.
- You are being required to sign an agreement that would force you to waive rights to which you should be entitled.
- You have been terminated from your employment for reasons you feel are illegal. In most cases, you can be fired for subjective reasons, as most individuals are employees “at will”. However, that is not always the case and speaking with an employment law attorney can help you determine if you have a case.
- You have not received the benefits to which you were entitled based on your contract of employment.
- Your employer has violated federal or state laws that were established to protect employees.
If any of these situations apply to you, reach out to an employment law attorney to get guidance on next steps. Speaking with an attorney can also determine if an unlawful act has actually been taken against you.
How an Employment Law Attorney Can Help
Of course, having representation is imperative if you want to move forward with any kind of claim against your employer. However, there are also some tangible services you can receive from using an employment law attorney. These include assistance in meeting deadlines, understanding potential claims, handling confrontations, and being taken seriously.
Meeting Deadlines
The law system is often governed by meeting a series of deadlines before filing a suit. If you try to understand and meet those deadlines independently, you may either get confused or miss them altogether. Missing those deadlines can put any suit filing in jeopardy. An employment law attorney can ensure you meet those deadlines on the way to filing suit.
Understanding Potential Claims
If you do not have a law degree and do not practice employment law, you are likely unaware of all of the claims you could potentially make against your employer. Simply put, you could just be missing something. You might also think that you have a case, when in fact you do not. Running the situation by a qualified employment law attorney can answer any questions you might have and can also uncover if you have a claim at all.
Handling Confrontations
You might not be entirely comfortable in confrontational situations. If you have an attorney, that is okay. He or she can do the confronting for you. That attorney can act as your advocate so that you do not have to do it on your own.
Being Taken Seriously
Overall, your employer may not take you seriously until you have an attorney working with you. If you want your concerns heard, having an attorney by your side often helps. It also sends the message to your employer that you are willing to take action against them.
Getting Assistance From The Brown Firm PLLC
You want to make sure you reach out to an employment law attorney as soon as you know there is a problem. Delaying contact will not benefit you, as it could prevent you from proving the illegal nature of your employer’s conduct. That delay could also prevent you from receiving any damages from your employer. As such, the sooner you reach out the better.
If you have additional questions related to the scenarios highlighted here, or how an employment law attorney could assist you, reach out to The Brown Firm for assistance. With our guidance, you can determine if you have a case against your employer. From there, you can work with us on determining how to proceed in your best interest.
