If an issue arises, an employment lawyer can assist both employers and workers in cooperating to find a solution. It’s beneficial to have an employment lawyer who can clarify rights and responsibilities for both parties if your employer-employee relationship gets tarnished due to a disagreement about pay, discrimination, workplace safety, or wrongful termination.
Is there a significant drama at work that you’d like to discuss? Do you wish to avoid these issues at work from occurring in the first place? If yes, you need the numbers of employee rights lawyers on your speed dial unless you like to spend your weekends poring into employment/labor laws and case law. Here’s when it is the right time to call in the pros.
Harassment or discrimination
It is time to send in the legal paratroopers if an employee is accusing you of discriminatory or harassing behavior. This is important stuff, with which you should not play about. An employment attorney can assist you with the investigation, offer legal counsel, and, if needed, represent you in court.
Wrongful termination
Does your staff member feel they were fired unfairly? An employment lawyer can guide you through the legal system and ensure that you are adhering to all the necessary regulations, even if this can be a challenging position. If you had good cause to fire the employee, they can also assist you in defending your choice.
Safety in workplace
And let’s not overlook safety and health! You may be facing serious consequences if you have concerns about workplace safety. A government agency, like the Ministry of Labour, may contact an employer by phone or email if they expose workers to harmful materials, put them in working conditions that are not in compliance with safety, or fail to provide them with proper training. In addition to representing you, if an employee chooses to file a lawsuit or file a government complaint, an employment lawyer may assist you in ensuring that you comply with all occupational health and safety rules and regulations.
Wage and Hours problems
Disputes about an employee’s pay and working hours are referred to as wage and hour conflicts between employers and employees. Unpaid overtime, minimum wage infractions, and skipping meals or rest periods are a few examples. Employers that fail to grant workers their due vacation or sick leave or who misclassify them as independent contractors to avoid paying them benefits also fall within this category.
Contract issues
An employment attorney can advise on the best course of action and assist the employee in negotiating a favorable resolution if they and their employer are at odds over the terms of their employment contract or severance agreement. This can involve unreasonably stringent or inappropriate non-compete clauses, or it can involve a breach of contract where the employer doesn’t carry out its contractual duties.
Therefore, if you have been facing any of the above-listed issues at the workplace, feel free to appoint an employee rights lawyer for professional guidance. He will walk you through the steps to take to resolve the issues peacefully.