There are state and federal laws to protect employees and workers in New Jersey. Despite all that, workers often face situations related to discrimination and harassment, which can make it hard to continue at the workplace. If you are wondering whether there is room to take legal action against your employer, your best bet is to talk to a law firm specializing in such cases, such as Sattiraju & Tharney. In this post, we are discussing some common reasons to engage an employment lawyer.
Wrongful termination
Like the majority of states, NJ is also an at-will state for employment. In simpler words, your employer can terminate you from the position when they want, but there are exceptions. For instance, if you are fired from the job but there is a direct violation of terms mentioned in the employment contract, you may take legal steps. An attorney can check the scope of your case and advise accordingly.
Workplace discrimination
Discrimination because of age, gender, national origin, race, and disability is prohibited, and NJ state laws are broader in many ways compared to federal statutes. If you were subjected to humiliation or were denied a promotion because of these factors, you should consider filing a complaint. While the process may seem straightforward on paper, there are aspects that need attention, which an attorney can help with.
Sexual discrimination
If your supervisor asked for sexual favors in return for a better performance rating or you were made the subject of jokes and comments for your gender, you may have a case of sexual harassment. While employers usually have protocols that must be followed by victims, you could take further steps if they fail to do anything about the situation or provide the required assistance.
Wage-related disputes
If you work beyond the standard 40 hours each week, you are entitled to overtime pay, although there are a few exceptions. Wage disputes are prevalent, and employers often try ways to reduce what they pay for the extra work. In such circumstances, you should speak to a capable attorney about labor law and whether you have the room to recover unpaid amounts.
Retaliation
More often than not, honest employees suffer the consequences of taking appropriate action. For instance, if you reported something against your supervisor but were demoted because of the complaint, it would be a case of retaliation.
Contact an attorney so that you can start gathering evidence and determine the ideal strategy for the case.
