How Can an Employment Lawyer Help You Protect Your Employment Rights?

As an employee in the United States, you have certain rights that are protected by federal, state, and sometimes local laws. However, you may not always know when your rights have been violated or what steps to take to remedy the situation. This is where working with an employment lawyer can help.

An employment rights attorney can advise and represent you if you face issues like discrimination, harassment, wage violations, wrongful termination, or retaliation for exercising your rights. They can review your case, determine if any laws were broken, and fight to protect your interests. Read on to learn more about how an employment lawyer can assist you.

Reviewing the Facts of Your Case

The first thing an employment lawyer will do is have you walk through the key events and timeline leading up to the incident(s). This helps them gather the facts to assess whether your employer acted illegally. For example, if you were fired without warning after requesting medical leave, this may indicate retaliation or discrimination connected to a protected status like disability. Thoroughly documenting all such incidents is key.

Determining If Any Laws Were Violated

Once they have a clear understanding of what occurred, an employment attorney can determine if your employer potentially violated any federal, state, or local statutes. Some examples of laws frequently cited in wrongful employment practices cases include Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

For instance, being demoted or passed up for promotion due to race, gender, or religious beliefs would contravene Title VII. If you have evidence supporting unlawful motives in adverse actions taken against you, share that with your lawyer to build your case.

Negotiating a Settlement with Your Employer

In some situations, your employment lawyer may first attempt to negotiate a settlement agreement with your employer. This can save you the stress of litigation and allow you to part ways on acceptable terms quickly. It generally involves your employer providing some form of compensation in exchange for your agreement not to sue. Settlement sums can vary substantially based on the specifics of your case.

Your attorney will use their expertise in negotiating employment agreements to aim for the best deal possible. They can also review any proposed settlement offers and advise you on whether accepting is in your interests. If early settlement efforts fail, getting your day in court is still an option with legal representation.

Filing a Lawsuit Against Your Employer

Should pre-trial negotiations break down or not be an appropriate avenue for seeking justice, your employment lawyer can file a formal lawsuit against your employer alleging illegal conduct like discrimination or wrongful termination. They will put together all documentation needed to present the facts persuasively, choose the most fitting causes of action, and follow all required procedures for the court where you will file suit.

Some of the key steps in the litigation process your attorney will handle include submitting the initial complaint detailing charges against the employer, gathering additional evidence through discovery processes, preparing you and other witnesses to testify with deposition questioning, and ultimately arguing your case before a judge or jury at trial. Having an experienced employment litigator in your corner levels the playing field against even the most formidable employer legal teams.

Conclusion

Protecting employees against illegal workplace treatment is what employment lawyers specialize in daily. If you feel your employer violated federal, state, or local statutes on matters like discrimination, leave time, fair pay, whistleblower retaliation, or wrongful firing, consulting an attorney well-versed in employment law is wise. They have the expertise to review what happened, advise on any legal recourse available, and represent your best interests every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to call on their services if you face injustice that jeopardizes your livelihood.