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As an employee, there are certain benefits and rights owed. Even though most of them are guaranteed by law, it doesn’t stop employers from ignoring their duties. Which means that employment lawyers enter the fray all the time.
There are more than a few reasons that an employee, either current or former, would need the help of an employment lawyer. But here are the 5 reasons that mean the most.
Denied Benefits
When an organization owes benefits to its employees, it is illegal to deny them in an effort to save money. This happens far more often than it should and each instance is actionable. The key is having the right attorney.
Having an employment lawyer will mean working to claim those benefits, especially if you were under contract with your employer. Depending on where you live, there are certain guidelines in local ordnances that cover benefits issued by a company and how they are supposed to be handled and distributed. Know your rights by having the right lawyer.
Harassment and Discrimination
Another thing that happens far too often in the workplace. Employees are discriminated against and harassed far too often. It can entail unfair treatment that is based on disability, race, religion, age, or gender, among other things.
Employment lawyers can analyze the situation and determine what impacts that discrimination had on your promotions, hiring process, wages, or job assignments. It can also be helpful to have a lawyer in the event of sexual harassment or assault. It all comes down to having the right legal expert who knows how to deal with company policies, the harasser in question, and the HR manager at your place of employment.
Wrongful Termination
There are instances that happen daily where an employee is terminated wrongfully. While this is a tricky slope to navigate in states where employees are largely “at will”, having an employment lawyer in your corner can determine whether you have a case.
If you do, they will take the necessary steps to pursue action against your former employer. That can mean getting lost wages back as well as compensation for your time and anguish. But it starts by finding an employment lawyer who will do what they can to ensure your case is properly pursued.
Retaliation After Whistleblowing
Organizations are supposed to protect employees who point out improper practices or misconducts being perpetrated by others within the organization. Unfortunately, there are far too many instances where those employees are punished for pointing out those improper practices instead.
If there is fear of reprisal or clear action taken against an employee who has blown the whistle on improper practices, contacting a lawyer is a must. They will inform you of the ways in which employment law is meant to protect you, what actions can and should be taken, and what legal actions may be required to rectify the situation.
Hostile Workplace
One of the obligations that employers are supposed to fulfil is ensuring that the workplace remains free of hostility. But there are times where even management can participate in making the workplace uncomfortable or even unsafe to work in.
There are signs of a hostile workplace like extreme nepotism, public shaming, and both nonverbal and verbal acts of aggression. Talking to an employment lawyer can perhaps shed light on whether or not the workplace is legally hostile and what action, if any, can be taken to rectify the situation. They can take steps to help make the workplace safe or pursue compensation in the event of targeted hostility.