When to Consider Hiring an Employment Law Attorney

While no one is above the law, employment law violations occur in the U.S. every day. Sadly, many workers lack sufficient understanding of their employee rights in the workplace. As you can imagine, this can open the door to a range of legal issues, from employee misclassifications to withholding pay or meal breaks.

Employment law attorneys provide legal advice and representation to workers who have experienced workplace discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, or other violations of their rights as an employee. An experienced employment law attorney can help protect a worker’s rights and ensure that they receive the compensation and justice they deserve.

Keep reading to learn 3 reasons why workers should consider consulting with an experienced employment law attorney to protect their rights.

3 Reasons to Hire an Employment Lawyer

Employees should consider reaching out to an employment law attorney if they suspect discrimination or mistreatment in their place of work. Retaining strong representation from a dependable employment lawyer can mean the difference between maintaining financial stability and jeopardizing your career.

Allowing employers to silence you after your employee rights were violated can lead to unfair consequences. In some cases, failing to seek legal representation can even reflect poorly on your professional image and future career opportunities, making it all the more vital for workers to report violations and defend themselves against workplace injustice.

Having an experienced legal advocate in your corner can make a big difference in the legal outcome of your case, as they can review all relevant documents and evidence with a practiced legal eye and determine which strategy to pursue in court based on your unique circumstances.

Consider the following 3 reasons why Tennessee workers should consider reaching out to an experienced employment lawyer:

1. To defend employees against employer retaliation in the workplace.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, defines retaliation as any action taken by an employer that is intended to punish an employee for engaging in protected activities, such as reporting a discriminatory act or speaking up about employment law violations.

Such behaviors are protected so long as the employee acted on a reasonable belief that a workplace occurrence violated EEOC laws. While employer retaliation can take many forms, common examples include:

• Firing an employee
• Demoting an employee
• Reducing an employee’s hours
• Giving an employee an unfair performance review
• Excluding the employee from meetings or social activities

It's important to note that employers cannot take adverse action against employees who have done nothing wrong. Employees have the right to be free from retaliation regardless of their involvement in reports of discrimination or harassment.

2. To protect employees from being wrongfully terminated.

Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired in violation of a legal right. Tennessee is an at-will employment state, meaning that employers can terminate employees for a good cause, bad cause, or no cause at all. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

For example, if an employee is fired due to discrimination based on a protected class under EEOC laws, an employment law attorney can fight to obtain justice and recover compensation on behalf of the wronged worker. Protected classes include:

• Race
• National origin
• Disability
• Religion
• Gender
• Sex

Keep in mind that workplace discrimination is also prohibited on the basis of certain subgroups of the above classes, including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions (such as postpartum depression or breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Your employment lawyer can review the facts of your case and direct your steps to obtain a favorable result in court. They can also provide guidance on potential damages that may be available to you after wrongful termination, such as lost wages from the date of termination until the resolution of the claim.

3. To help review and negotiate legal contracts and agreements.

The assistance of a qualified employment lawyer can be exceedingly helpful when reviewing and signing legal contracts and documents. Such contracts are generally required before an employee starts a position at a new company or accepts a promotion.

Employment law is very complex. Because the average worker is often unfamiliar with legal jargon, not to mention state and local ordinances, an attorney’s in-depth knowledge of federal and state-specific employment laws can be especially useful.

A trusted legal advocate can help workers better understand their rights and obligations under the agreement and help protect them from potential risks or liabilities. Having an experienced lawyer review your employment contract before you sign it can be beneficial in various ways:

• They can counsel you on the negotiation of unfavorable terms or conditions in the contract.
• They can identify any misleading or unfavorable terms in the contract and corresponding documents.
• They can advise you of any potential tax implications of certain provisions in the contract, such as bonus payments or stock options.
• They can help identify any clauses that may be disadvantageous to you, such as non-compete clauses or restrictions on future job opportunities.
• They can offer the legal guidance you need to protect yourself from potential lawsuits related to your employment agreement.

Turn to a Firm with Over 40 Years of Experience

The average American spends one-third of their life working, and our firm is committed to ensuring that time is spent in workplaces free of discrimination and mistreatment. With over 150 years of combined legal experience, our employment law attorneys are well-equipped to represent you in a range of employment law disputes.

At Donati Law, PLLC, we have a proven track record of bettering the lives of hardworking employees and their families throughout the Mid-South. If you’ve experienced unfair treatment, harassment, or discrimination in the workplace, it’s critical to consult with a trusted employment lawyer who can assertively defend your rights.

If you suspect you’re being mistreated at work, it’s crucial to take swift action to assert your employee rights. Call (901) 209-5500 to schedule a consultationwith an experienced employment lawyer.