Workers subjected to unfair practices by their employers often fail to come forward because they fear retaliation. However, there are several protections in the law designed to eliminate retaliation and encourage employees to report misconduct. An experienced Andover labor and employment attorney can help you file a claim.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we understand the challenges faced by mistreated workers. Our team of Andover labor and employment lawyers will do everything we can to ensure a favorable outcome for your case. Reach out to us today through our website or by phone and set up your free, no-obligation case consultation with a member of our legal team.
Workplace Discrimination
Workplace discrimination is a persistent and widespread problem in the United States. Under federal law, any discrimination against an individual based on their age, sex, sexual orientation, race, disability, or classification as a member of another protected class is unlawful. While many efforts have been made to eliminate workplace discrimination, it remains a pervasive issue.
Workplace discrimination can make it difficult for members of protected classes to find employment and advance in their careers. Beyond that, it can mean they are exposed to harassment on a daily basis, which can cause extreme emotional and psychological damage.
Hiring Discrimination
One of the most prominent yet hardest-to-prove forms of workplace discrimination is discrimination in the hiring process. This type of discrimination is often challenging to detect because applicants rarely receive insight into why a company chose not to hire them.
However, if you suspect that discrimination may have been the motivation for the employer not hiring you, you should contact an experienced employment lawyer serving Andover, MA. When you secure the services of an attorney, they will conduct an investigation into the employer, where they will attempt to establish a pattern of discrimination in their hiring history.
On-the-Job Discrimination
While employed, a worker can face several different forms of discrimination. One common issue is harassment from coworkers and supervisors. Additionally, members of protected groups often find it difficult to advance their careers, often being passed over for promotions.
Those working in hostile work environments can struggle to get through the day and reach their career objectives. Fortunately, proving you have been subjected to this kind of discrimination is far easier than proving hiring discrimination. Employees have the opportunity to view how they are treated compared to their coworkers.
In addition, they have time to collect and document evidence of the discrimination they observe and are subjected to.
Firing Discrimination
You need to understand that Massachusetts is an at-will employment state before you begin pursuing legal action. In at-will employment states, employers can fire employees at any time for any reason. However, there are a limited number of exceptions to this rule that can make termination under certain circumstances unlawful.
One of the primary examples of this is discrimination-based firing. If you believe you were terminated from your position for this reason, an experienced employment attorney serving Andover, MA, can help you file a claim. Proving discrimination in these cases can be challenging since employers are not required to state the reason for firing employees.
In these cases, any evidence you have of discrimination you observed or were subjected to while employed can be critical. Beyond that, your lawyer will investigate the company’s hiring and firing practices, looking for a history of discrimination.
For a free legal consultation with a Labor & Employment lawyer serving Andover, call (860) 999-9394
An Experienced Andover Employment and Labor Attorney Can Help You Meet All Deadlines in Your Case
When working to recover compensation following a labor dispute, you will need to submit all of the necessary paperwork before the filing deadline that applies to your case. The specific deadline will depend on the particular type of labor or employment offense for which you are filing a lawsuit.
Hiring an experienced labor lawyer serving Andover, MA, as soon as possible is the best way to avoid losing your right to recover damages because of an unexpected deadline. An added benefit of hiring a lawyer early is that doing so puts them in the best position to build a strong case on your behalf.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we will identify the filing deadline that applies to your case and complete and file all of your required documents well before the due date.
Andover Labor & Employment Lawyer Near Me (860) 999-9394
Wrongful Termination
The other most common exception regarding firing employees in at-will employment states includes retaliation. Employers are not permitted to fire an employee in retaliation for any lawful actions they take. Some of the most common retaliation-based termination claims we handle include the firings of employees who:
- Blew the whistle on company misconduct or other illegal activity
- Filed workers’ compensation claims
- Reported workplace discrimination
- Used legitimate medical leave
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Other Common Labor Disputes
There are several other labor disputes with which a labor attorney serving Andover, MA, can help. Some of the most common cases we see include issues involving:
- Unlawful deductions
- Unpaid overtime
- Failure to pay the minimum wage
Unlawful Deductions
When you get paid by your employer, there will be deductions taken from your paycheck for taxes. You may also have money taken from your pay that goes into a retirement account. In addition, there are a variety of lawful reasons that your wages may be garnished.
However, your employer can not make deductions at their own discretion. Any deductions from your pay must comply with all federal and state laws.
Unpaid Overtime
In the U.S., the standard for a full-time work week is 40 hours. For any time you work for a single employer in a week over the 40-hour mark, your employer must pay you at a rate of 1.5 times your usual hourly wage.
Failure to Pay the Minimum Wage
At both the federal and state levels, there are regulations regarding the minimum hourly wage an employer must pay their employees. Furthermore, certain cities have enacted their own minimum wage requirements that must be met.
If your employer violates any of these employment requirements, you have the right to pursue damages by filing a lawsuit against them.
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An Experienced Employment & Labor Attorney in Andover Can Help You Pursue Compensation
Hiring an experienced lawyer to help you with your employment or labor dispute will significantly improve your chances of recovering the money you need or deserve. At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we will work diligently to ensure a favorable outcome for your case.
Contact us by phone or through this website to schedule your free initial case evaluation with a member of our team today.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form