Employment Attorney in Richmond, VA
Many employees in Richmond spend a lot of their time in a work environment, so a toxic workplace can negatively impact all aspects of life. Workplace discrimination and harassment can cause problems to arise in other areas as well—for instance, wage and hour violations which cheat employees out of their pay could form the basis of a civil suit against an employer, as could unreasonably dangerous conditions in the workplace.
If you believe your boss is violating employment laws, you should talk to a knowledgeable Richmond employment lawyer. With the guidance of a dedicated attorney from The Spiggle Law Firm, you may be able to effectively pursue compensation for the wrongs you have endured or even obtain a promotion that was previously illegally denied.
Workers’ Rights
Both federal and state laws prohibit harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Similar regulations establish standards of fair payment for hours worked, require employers to provide a safe work environment, and impose other regulations which affect the employment relationship.
Unfortunately, not every business owner follows those laws. Fortunately, a Richmond employment attorney could help you assert your rights and seek available remedies provided for under the law.
Unpaid Overtime and Wage Violations
Certain laws require employers to pay workers at a rate of one and a half times their regular salary when they work more than 40 hours in a week. While some employees are exempt from this overtime requirement, the standards for determining whether a worker should receive overtime pay have been clarified in recent years, so more employees now qualify for overtime.
While many professionals, managers, and executives do not qualify for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act, many other white-collar workers do, even if they are paid an annual salary rather than an hourly wage. Besides failing to pay overtime, employers may also violate wage and hour laws by requiring workers to put in time “off the clock” before or after a shift.
Additionally, business owners who do not pay their workers minimum wage could be held liable for violating employment regulations. A seasoned employment lawyer in Richmond, VA could examine the circumstances pertaining to an individual job to determine whether you should be receiving overtime pay.
Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace
Legal counsel with experience with employment cases could also assist you if you have suffered discrimination or harassment at your workplace. Various laws prohibit employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of age, race, religion, nationality, sex, disability, and genetic information.
Workplace discrimination can manifest in many ways. Some common opportunities for discriminatory practices include:
- Posting job openings
- Hiring decisions
- Offering promotions
- Providing equal pay
- Discipline
- Layoffs
- Discharge
When an employer discriminates against a worker, the employee may be entitled to seek compensation. Similarly, business owners are not permitted to harass employees over a protected characteristic or allow other workers to do so. Employees who suffer harassment may also pursue legal remedies.
Consult an Experienced Richmond Employment Attorney Today
You should not have to work in a place that is dangerous, hostile, or unlawfully managed by a boss who refuses to follow employment laws and regulations. Instead, you should learn about your legal rights and take steps to enforce them when they are violated.
A Richmond employment lawyer from Spiggle Law could help you examine your employer’s actions to determine whether they violated any laws. Click here for a free case evaluation to learn more about your options, or call us at (202) 449-8527 to schedule an initial consultation.