We spend most of our days at work and in the company of other employees. While many workplaces are enjoyable and have a great social environment, there are some spaces where individuals may feel ostracized and discriminated against. A workplace should be a safe and respectful environment where all employees are treated equally and with dignity. Unfortunately, discrimination and harassment are factors that can have severe negative impacts on employees’ self-esteem, productivity, and general physical and mental health.
Under federal and Virginia laws, employers are legally obligated to provide a safe and inclusive workplace for their employees. If you suffer from unlawful actions in the workplace, you have the right to speak with an attorney about your legal options. The Spiggle Law Firm has a hard-working, professional team to provide thorough and knowledgeable legal advice. We will do everything in our power to protect and advocate for you throughout the legal process. Contact our team as soon as possible to learn more about your rights and situation.
Types of Employment Law Issues in Washington D.C.
While various types of employment law issues exist throughout the state, some are more common than others. To collect evidence and confirm your concerns, below are a few examples of unlawful workplace actions that you may hold your employer accountable for:
Discrimination and Harassment Claims
One common legal issue in DC concerns discrimination in the workplace. Both federal laws and laws unique to the District provide protections intended to prevent unfair treatment in the workplace based on factors such as gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. These laws also illegalize retaliation against employees who file claims for discrimination and prohibit employers from allowing harassment—sexual or otherwise—in the workplace.
Unfortunately, employers sometimes violate these laws by—for example—denying promotions to qualified candidates, demoting or discharging employees who complain about illegal practices, or submitting unfairly poor performance reviews of employees based on the aforementioned characteristics.
Wage and Hour Disputes
Many employees assume that being paid a salary instead of an hourly wage makes them exempt from wage and hour laws that require overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 during a work week. However, the types of positions that are exempt from these requirements are more narrowly defined than you might expect.
As a result, employers often fail to pay proper overtime to their employees. In addition, many employers also fail to pay for time worked “off the clock,” or for time spent in mandatory training or during short breaks. Whether inadvertent or intentional, these practices nonetheless amount to wage theft.
In some cases, employers may even unfairly deny benefits and compensation to employees by incorrectly treating them as independent contractors.
Other Areas Where Employee Rights May Be at Risk
Employees are not always aware of their rights, or of how to take action to enforce those rights. Some of the many other issues a DC employment attorney could handle on behalf of employees include:
- Negotiation of employment contracts
- Enforcing medical and family leave policies
- Issues unique to federal employees, including those involving grade increases
- Assessing the validity of and compliance with noncompetition clauses
The above are just a few examples of employment law issues employees may face. If you are suffering from discrimination, harassment, or any unlawful behavior, seek out legal representation and guidance from an experienced employment lawyer. They will guide you through the process and help you understand your rights and legal options.
When to Contact a Washington, DC Employment Attorney
Although in many cases there are procedures set up to allow an employee to file a claim or address wrongdoing without the assistance of an attorney, it is still often a good to contact an attorney for advice early in the process. An experienced DC employment lawyer could help with the collection and preservation of evidence and advise and advocate on your behalf in private negotiations, as well as in official administrative proceedings.
Our legal team at the Spiggle Law Firm is familiar with all aspects of workplace law and could work to explain how courts and agencies have ruled in situations similar to yours, help you evaluate the best options to correct violations, and obtain any compensation to which you may be entitled.
If you are suffering from illegal conduct at work, contact an employment lawyer in Washington, DC now to learn how you could take steps to protect your rights and your future.
Speak With Attorney Tom Spiggle for an Experienced DC Employment Lawyer Today
The Spiggle Law Firm devotes our practice to representing and protecting employees and their interests. Our team will do everything possible to recover the compensation and justice you deserve. Founded in 2009, Tom Spiggle started on a journey to build a firm where employees would feel comfortable communicating their concerns and questions. After years of experience and a proven track record of success, our dream of protecting clients and advocating for their rights has become a reality. It’s essential for our team that clients feel seen and understood.
We want to ensure you receive the best possible legal representation for your claim. Call (202) 449-8527 or complete our contact form to speak more about your situation with one of our compassionate representatives.
