Most American adults spend their days at work, whether they work in an office, factory, store, restaurant, medical facility, or maybe even their own home. No matter what they do for a living, they can face issues at their workplace.
Employment law encompasses many elements. If you are an employee who is having issues with their employer regarding pay, harassment, discrimination, termination, leave, or some other issue, do not deal with the issue on your own. Contact an employment attorney in Chicago right away to understand your legal rights and options.
Legal Rights
While there tends to be a focus on employee rights, it’s important to understand that both employees and employers have legal rights. Employee rights include the following:
The right to earn at least federal minimum wage, as well as overtime pay at 1.5 times the base rate of pay for all hours worked beyond 40 per week, under the Fair Labor Standards Act
The right to work in an environment that is free from discrimination
The right to terminate an employee for any legal reason without notice
The right to replace employees who have gone on strike
The right to require drug tests for employees who have been in drug treatment programs
Types of Employment Law Issues
Most employment law issues fall under the following categories:
Wage and overtime disputes. An employee must be paid at least minimum wage, as well as time and a half for overtime. An employer who shorts their employees can be accused of wage theft.
Sexual harassment claims. Sexually harassing any employee, male or female, is against federal law. This may include unwanted touching or gesturing, showing X-rated photos, and having sexually explicit conversations with co-workers.
Discrimination claims. An employee may face discrimination if they are treated unfairly based on age, gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or some other protected class.
Wrongful termination claims. While employers can generally terminate an employee for any reason, it cannot be for an illegal reason, such as discrimination or retaliation.
Retaliation claims. Employees have the right to file claims such as workers’ compensation and whistleblower claims. Employers cannot retaliate against workers for making these claims.
Contact Us Today
While employers are supposed to follow state and federal laws when it comes to their employees, this does not happen. Employees may face discrimination or harassment. They may not get paid properly.
There are many issues that can occur in the workplace. If you have been a victim, seek legal advice from a Chicago employment attorney from The Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline. We will assess your case and help you understand your legal options. To schedule a consultation, call or fill out the online form.
