An employment lawyer can protect your rights.
If you have experienced some sort of wrongful conduct at work, such as harassment, retaliation or discrimination, you may think that you know what to do next after a quick google search. It often seems simple — file a complaint here, check a few boxes, and you’re done. But the reality is that employment law is a highly complex area of law, and in many cases, your best bet is hiring a highly skilled employment lawyer to help you determine if you have a case — and then to advocate for your rights.
There are a number of reasons why you should hire an employment lawyer rather than trying to go it alone. Here are just a few:
- Deadlines and Prerequisites: In employment law, there are a number of requirements that must be met before filing claims, and deadlines that must be met. These prerequisites and deadlines can be confusing, so having an experienced employment lawyer can help to make sure that you do not miss a critical requirement.
- Complex Law: Employment law is complicated, and there are many laws that you may not know about unless you consult with a seasoned employment lawyer. Similarly, you may believe that you have a claim that is not actionable under the law. Working with an attorney can ensure that your case is solid.
- Strong Negotiations: Many employers have a team of attorneys to handle employment law claims and other lawsuits, and won’t take you seriously without an employment lawyer to represent you. A lawyer can also help you put your best foot forward, presenting the strongest possible case for compensation.
There are many situations in which you should contact an employment law attorney as soon as possible, such as if you are asked to sign an agreement that you do not understand (like a noncompete agreement, an employment agreement, or an arbitration agreement), or if your employer threatens to sue you.
In other cases, you may want to consult with a knowledgable employment lawyer to determine if you have a case against your employer. This includes if you think that you are not being paid all of the wages that you are owed, or if you believe that you have been misclassified as exempt from overtime or as an independent contractor. If you believe that your employer has broken employment laws, if you have been harassed or discriminated against, or if you have been retaliated against for complaining about discrimination or something illegal that your employer has done, you might also want to contact an employment lawyer. He or she can review the facts of your case and help you determine if it makes sense to proceed with a legal case.
It is important to keep in mind that not all types of discrimination are illegal. Federal law only protects against discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, ethnicity, disability, age, pregnancy, national origin or color. Some states, including California, provide additional protections on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and other categories. A skilled employment lawyer can help you determine if you have been subject to illegal discrimination.
At PLBH, we are committed to helping employees achieve justice. For more than 50 years, our team of attorneys and professionals have worked with employees who have suffered harassment, discrimination, wage theft, retaliation, and other forms of workplace abuses. Contact us today at (800) 435-7542 or info@plblaw.com to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.