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Employment Law Overview

Employees are often fearful to report problems they are experiencing in the workplace. In these economic times, employees may feel they cannot risk the possibility of losing their job, having their wages garnished, or alienating co-workers or supervisors by reporting discriminating or harassing behaviors. Many employees determine to simply live with and attempt to tolerate these daily violations of their rights. These employees will continue to work under almost unbearable circumstances in order to maintain their current level of employment and income. While ensuring one's financial stability and preserving one's career is a noble prospect, employees should not be subjected to continuous harassment or discrimination. Any employee that feels that have been or are the victim of discrimination or harassment should contact skilled employment law attorneys for assistance.

Do you have additional legal questions about employment law? Our employment law attorneys can help! Contact an employment lawyer in your area today.

There are a number of statutes that have been established to protect the rights of employees. These employee protection statutes protect employees from actions or behaviors such as:

• Illegal fluctuating workweeks
• Forcing employees to work seven consecutive days
• Paycheck errors
• Unreimbursed business expenses
• Unpaid sales commissions
• Severance and release agreements
• Denied unemployment benefits
• Unfair discipline or demotion
• Working off the clock
• Wage discrimination

While this is not an exhaustive list, these are just some of the statutes that have been adopted to ensure employee's rights are protected. Employment law firms are contacted by employees everyday because they have been discriminated against or because they have been the subject of harassing behaviors. When an employee's rights have been violated, they need the legal advice and guidance that employment lawyers can offer.

Steps Employees Should Take

When employees are experiencing discriminating or harassing behaviors, they need to accurately document these behaviors. Making notes of when these behaviors occur, how often they occur, and by whom the behaviors are perpetuated will be crucial. In some states, it is legal for employees to record their harasser with a tape recorder. This will be important evidence to confirm the behaviors reported by the employee. Furthermore, identifying witnesses and obtaining their contact information will be also helpful. If employees have questions about recording conversations with their harasser or gathering evidence to support their claims, contacting competent, professional employment law attorneys is recommended.

Statute of Limitations – EEOC and EPA

There are statutes of limitations in regard to reporting discriminating or harassing behaviors. In discrimination cases, employees have 180 days from the date of the alleged violation to file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In certain cases, this filing deadline may be extended. For claims that will be filed under the Equal Pay Act (EPA), a discrimination claim does not have to first be filed with the EEOC.

However, because EPA claims often involve things such as sexual discrimination or wrongful termination, it may be advisable to file a claim with the EEOC as well. Even though the 180-day filing deadline does not apply to EPA claims, it may be best to adhere to this deadline, especially if the EPA claim involves discrimination. Employment lawyers can help employees make certain they file their claims according to the corresponding statutes of limitations and that the claim is filed correctly.

Do you have additional legal questions about employment law? Our employment law attorneys can help! Contact an employment lawyer in your area today.

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• Worker Sues For Benefits and Monetary Compensation - A third law enforcement official in Fair Lawn this year has recently filed a lawsuit for supposed "unlawful employment practices."

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• Employee Discriminated Against For Weighing 600 Pounds - The United States federal government has filed a lawsuit against BAE Systems Inc. claiming that the corporation terminated a worker for being extremely overweight.