When it's time to fight for your workplace rights, it's time to contact an employment lawyer.
What exactly does an employment lawyer do?
Employment law is the area of law that governs the employer-employee relationship at every stage of employment.
Employment law is the area of law that governs the employer-employee relationship at every stage of employment. Employment laws ensures that workers are treated fairly and are kept safe. This law not only protects employees but also employers.
Employment lawyers advise and represent clients in courts, negotiations, and even in private legal scenarios (for example, executive compensation arrangements)
They communicate with you, your colleagues, judges, and others involved in the legal issue regarding the matter at hand
Employment lawyers would conduct research and analysis on the legalities of your employment problem
These lawyers will prepare and file legal documents for you
Employment lawyers would be your advocate in court and advisors in their law offices on everything about employment law.
Labor lawyers, on the other hand, generally deal with union-related issues. Labor often lawyers deal with collective bargaining agreements, negotiations, grievances, and union organization.
employment law ensures that workers are treated fairly and are kept safe while under the employment of a workplace
Employment Lawyers for the Employees
If you are an employee, an employment lawyer will help you learn and enforce your rights—rights that may not have been enjoyed and those that are violated. Employment lawyers will counsel their clients about their legal rights and obligations and suggest the best action to partake. They will guide you with the appropriate steps in handling your concern. They usually start with studying your company internally.
First, employment lawyers would need to know your company guidelines, policies and may even need to have an in-depth knowledge of your employee handbook in comparison with the existing laws of your state and depending on the problem you are facing. From there, employment lawyers would suggest the next step which is either to file a case or resolve the issue first internally. In most cases, if you are still an employee, there will still be a need to resolve the issue internally with the company before a litigation may happen.
Employees should keep accurate records of incidents (with time and dates) wherein they think their rights are violated. This will come in handy in case a suit will be filed against the employer.
If you are in any situations wherein you think you have rights that needs to be protected, protect yourself and talk to an employment lawyer now.
Employment Lawyers for the Employers
For businesses and organizations, hiring an employment lawyer is a precautionary step to protect these establishments from litigation. Hiring an employment lawyer is very much crucial for employers. Every wrong move you make that affects the rights of your employees can be taken against you and can cost you greatly.
Employment laws are complex. Generally, businesses who manages at least 15 employees should consult with an employment lawyer especially if the owner is not familiar with federal and state laws.
Employers should also have an employment handbook carefully checked by an employment lawyer. This should include procedures on how your employees may file a complaint or grievances and how the investigation should proceed in the company level.
Employers need to know whether specific state or federal laws apply to them. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency that enforces most employment laws, especially those related to discrimination. The agency's rule of thumb states that if employees from a protected class are hired at a rate that's less than 80% of other groups, the employment practice is having a disparate impact on that class. They promote health and safety, establish a minimum required level for economic support and prevent work disruption due to disputes between labor and management. However, an an employer must have a certain number of employees to be covered by the laws enforced under the EEOC.
So, when should you talk to an Employment Lawyer?
A lot of people don't know if or when they should reach out to one, and a lot of people don't really know what an employment lawyer does. When you have experienced or experiencing any of the following situation, you should contact an employment lawyer ASAP.
If you are an employee and any of the following scenarios is applicable to you:
Discrimination at work due to age, sex, gender, race, ability or disability, religion, and even national origin
Contract negotiation and settlements
Workplace safety issues (Occupational Safety and Health Act)
Wage and Salary disputes (underpaid, withholding of paychecks, etc.)
Issues on parental leaves
Issues on State mandated benefits
Restrained on trade, having other employment or practicing your profession
Investigations on the workplace (disciplinary issues or misconduct)
Review of unfair decisions (severe working conditions)
Human Rights Issues in the workplace
Unfair treatment
Terminated but unsure if there was due process
Employer retaliation
If you are an employer and the following circumstances are applicable to you:
Firing an employee for whatever reason (even with gross misconduct on the fault of the employee)
There are complaints and claims against your organization or business
When you lay-off a number of employees due to restructuring
When you terminate or change a benefit
In reviewing and negotiating contracts and agreements
Workplace change due to redundancy or other reasons
Creating your policies and employee handbook
Dealing with the government agencies
When you receive legal papers from an employee
When you are being requested a legal paper from an employee
When you are sued by an employee or a former employee
When you need assistance in assessing employment contracts, severance contracts or compliance with applicable rules
At the end of the day, an employment lawyer can help you with anything related to your relationship with your employer.
A lot of people wait until after they're fired to reach out to an employment lawyer; they should reach out earlier. You can get a professional advice from an employment lawyer before you start a new job, while you are doing it, or when you leave.
Employment lawyers always hear from clients wishing they knew a specific right or law early on in their case. People often seek the advice of an employment lawyer too late.
Here at Employment Law Center of Maryland, we strive to provide the best solutions for our clients. We not only help you on your legal problems, but we hear you. We want you to know that we are on your side, and we got your back.
Our employment lawyers practice in the following areas of employment law:
We believe that everybody deserves a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.
If you have questions about your employment situation, or need a free, confidential consultation with a Maryland employment lawyer, contact us today.
