Employment Law
At Stern Law, PLLC, we understand the unique complexities of legal issues arising out of an individual’s employment. Conflicts that impact a person’s career, livelihood and means of supporting themselves and their family can be particularly stressful and seem overwhelming. Our seasoned attorneys work passionately to ensure that our clients are treated fairly by their employers and receive the compensation that they are owed.
Employment Law Overview
Employment law refers to legal issues arising between employees and their place of employment. This might be something fairly routine, such as negotiations between a new hire and the company hiring the individual. Employment contracts can at times be complicated and employees might benefit from the assistance of an attorney in the process of the negotiations.
Also in this category of law would be legal disputes between employers and their employees. Disputes arising from an individual’s place of employment can present unique and complicated problems. For instance, an individual faced with unfair and potentially illegal termination, or an employee subjected to sexual harassment at his or her place of work, might feel vulnerable and helpless when pitted against a corporation.
Moreover, if an employee is suffering from wrongful acts committed by his or her superiors at work, he or she might feel incapable of taking the necessary steps to remedy the wrongful actions because of the fear that speaking up might cause the loss of his or her employment. Because of this, it is important to know your legal rights, and to know what to do if you feel that those rights have been infringed upon.
What should I know before signing an employment contract?
One of the most important things to remember is that an employment contract is a legally binding document. Once you have signed an employment contract, you have agreed to the provisions that are stated within that document. Employment contracts include many important provisions that you should be sure to understand before you agree to sign. You are probably familiar with provisions pertaining to things such as your salary and other compensation, your benefits, and your vacation and sick days. But the contract might also state additional provisions including confidentiality provisions forbidding you from revealing company information, or non-compete provisions limiting what sort of positions you may accept if your time working for the company comes to an end.
If your employment contract is complicated, you may wish to speak with an attorney prior to signing in order to be certain that you understand each of the provisions that you are agreeing to.
What are some causes for employment law disputes?
Employment law cases arise out of a diverse set of workplace related scenarios, including the following:
- Wrongful Termination
- Wrongful termination encompasses a large variety of situations wherein an employee loses his or her job in violation of a contractual agreement, or as the result of another unlawful reason, such as discrimination, or retaliation.
- Whistleblower Claims
- Whistleblower claims arise as a result of a retaliatory action by an employer towards an employee who exposed the employer’s unlawful actions.
- Sexual Harassment
- Sexual harassment includes inappropriate and unwanted advances or other actions and obscene statements that create an uncomfortable and hostile workplace for an employee.
- Workplace Discrimination
- Workplace discrimination includes any mistreatment of an employee based on his or her age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, or as the result of an employee’s pregnancy.
- Unpaid compensation
- Unpaid compensation includes an employer’s failure to pay regular wages, salary, bonuses or severance pay.
- Violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- The FMLA requires that a place of employment allow for 12 weeks of unpaid leave within a year’s time for employees faced with certain family or health related complications.
- Breaches of employment contracts
- Employment contracts can lead to legal disputes if they are breached.
- Non-compete agreements
- Employers often have employees sign non-compete agreements to prevent their employees from leaving to work for a competitor, and taking corporate information or clients with them. There are legal limits on what a non-compete agreement can require of an employee. A breach of a non-compete agreement, or a non-compete agreement that oversteps the legal limits placed on employers, can lead to legal disputes.
What should I do if I believe I have suffered from illegal actions at my place of employment?
If you believe that your legal rights have been infringed upon by your employer, you should contact an employment law attorney to discuss your claim.
Contact Stern Law, PLLC for A Free Consultation
At Stern Law, PLLC, we have compassionate and caring attorneys ready to work with you to find the best solution to your employment law related legal issues. Contact Stern Law, PLLC today at (844) 808-7529 for a free consolation with an experienced employment attorney.
