Jaime HayWe spend a lot of time at work during our lives, so it is not surprising that, among other things, we come into conflict situations, which is completely normal. You must have at least once had a misunderstanding with a colleague or employer and successfully resolved it in a short time.
However, there are those situations that are not so naive, so they even require the mediation of an employment attorney. Of course, in order to know in which circumstances you should hire one, you need to be educated about this in advance. That is why we have decided to share with you in this article the main signs that you should hire an attorney to handle your employment disputes.
You don’t understand your employment contract
The first reason you might want to hire or consult an employment attorney is if you don’t understand your employment contract. Please note that before signing the contract, it is necessary to fully understand it, to make sure that all the conditions stated in the contract fully suit you.
You don’t want to commit to something you’re not okay with without even being aware of it. In case you do not understand the legal language and you need help in understanding the contract, do not hesitate to contact a good employment attorney who will explain everything to you and give additional useful advice.
You are a victim of harassment or discrimination in the workplace
Unfortunately, modern times, along with the development of technology, have led to a faster life and the accumulation of large amounts of stress. When people do not know how to channel stress properly it can lead to aggressive behavior towards colleagues or employees.
No person should be a victim of harassment or discrimination in the workplace. If this is the case, it is necessary to hire an employment attorney as soon as possible to help you solve this problem and protect yourself from the future.
In case this is your reality, it is important to know that you should not tolerate situations like this, but that the first time an unpleasant situation happens, you should take the necessary measures to protect yourself. And of course, it is crucial that you know how to recognize when something like this happens. Otherwise, you will not even be aware that you need to react.
Discrimination in the workplace implies situations in which your employer or colleagues treat you differently than others, for whatever reason. It can be your gender, race, nationality, physical characteristics, disability, or anything else. Keep in mind that you deserve to be treated with respect, regardless of your gender, religion or appearance.
Sexual harassment is another aspect of this that is very uncomfortable and requires an alarming response as soon as it happens. In case you are a victim of sexual harassment by a colleague or employer, you need to hire an employment attorney immediately and learn about your rights. Also, if you notice that any of your personal characteristics affect the employment process, promotion, pay or type of tasks you receive, it is necessary to consult with someone who is well acquainted with employment rights, such as companies such as Levitt LLP.
Getting fired without any explanation
Wrongful termination is another thing that will make you want to consider hiring an employment attorney, to ensure that your rights are protected. Any company must explain to its employees why it is firing them. If this is not the case and you have been fired without any further explanation, keep in mind that you should not only come to terms with it, but it is crucial that you fight for your rights.
Of course, you should not do this alone, but with the help of a professional who is well acquainted with this field. Also, sometimes the reasons for dismissal are illegal, such as the case of dismissal of workers due to pregnancy, disability, sick leave, and other situations that are in line with labor rights. If you suspect that one of these reasons is the main one for your dismissal, it is a good idea to find a good employment attorney with whom you will consult in more detail about this.
Of course, keep in mind that if you are not sure what the reason for your dismissal is, you should give your employer the benefit of the doubt and not make a scene before you come to clear conclusions. A good employment attorney will explain all this in detail and instruct you on what your next step should be.
Your employer is taking disciplinary actions against you because you were a whistleblower
And finally, let’s talk about another sign that indicates that you should seek legal help from an employment attorney. In case you have exposed some illegal activity at your workplace and reported them to the authorities, you should know that you are protected by the so-called whistleblower law.
You have the full support of the legal system to report any illegal activities, because if you do not do that – you become an accomplice. These activities can apply both to the employer and to your colleagues and the whistleblower law protects you in both cases. However, it sometimes happens that an employer takes disciplinary action against employees because they have exposed their illegal actions.
It may happen that you get fired, be the victim of harassment or attack by an employer or colleague, or find yourself in some other awkward situation just because you did the right thing. While this can be stressful, you need to know that you are legally protected. Your next step should be hiring an employment attorney who will help you get out of this unfavorable situation and protect your rights to the maximum.
Conclusion
There are several different situations in which hiring an employment attorney can be a great idea. Some of them are: not understanding your employment contract, harassment or discrimination in the workplace, wrongful termination or if your employer is taking disciplinary actions against you because you were a whistleblower. In all these situations you are protected by law and we recommend you to seek the help of a professional in order to optimally protect yourself.
Hugh Hay
Patrick Soft
