In an ideal situation, all workers would receive adequate pay and be treated fairly in the workplace. Their employers would follow all laws and ensure their safety every day.
While there are some employers who care about their employees, many do not. They do not follow laws and regulations because they want to save money. This leads to unsafe workplaces, hostile work environments, and low pay.
If you are employed in Illinois, local, state, and federal laws affect you every day. Make sure you understand your legal rights by hiring a labor and employment attorney in Oak Park.
There are many types of harassment prohibited in Illinois. Employees and job applicants cannot legally face discrimination from employers based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or religion. This means that an employer or co-worker cannot treat someone unfavorably due to any of these protected characteristics.
Discrimination covers all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotions, pay, training, benefits, layoffs, and firing. Discrimination may also include harassment, which may or may not be sexual in nature. Sexual harassment may include sexual advances and requests for sexual favors. Non-sexual harassment can include offensive remarks about a person’s race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or religion.
It is important to know that the victim and the harasser may be any gender. The victim and harasser may be the same or different gender.
While harassment and discrimination are common employment issues, they’re far from the only ones. Wage disputes are also common as they relate to overtime and working off the clock. Many workers are not paid the money they have earned due to loopholes created by their employers.
Wrongful termination is also an issue. Sometimes it ties into discrimination and harassment, but it is common for workers to be fired for no apparent reason.
Retaliation is another common employment issue. When an employee files a complaint against the employer or exercises any other rights provided to employees under the law, they are protected. They cannot be fired or punished in any other way due to their actions.
Keep in mind that employers also have legal rights. For example, they have the right to terminate an employee for any legal reason (besides harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, for example) without prior notice. They can require regular drug tests for employees who have been in drug treatment programs. Employers also have the right to replace employees who have gone on strike.
Many legal issues can happen in the workplace, from sexual harassment to discrimination to wrongful termination to wage disputes. In these situations, you need to understand your legal rights.
The Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline can handle even the most complex employment law cases. When you need effective representation, you can count on us to deliver results. Schedule a free case evaluation today. Call us or fill out the online form.
