People often fail to pursue legal actions against employers who violate labor laws over fear of retaliation. To attempt to counter this, many laws have been created to help protect workers who come forward and to make the workplace a safer and better environment for all. If you were the victim of a labor violation, an experienced Hartford labor and employment attorney can help.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we know the kinds of challenges faced by people who have been mistreated by employers. Our dedicated team of Hartford labor and employment lawyers will work tirelessly to help you get justice. Contact us today to set up a case consultation with a member of our legal team.
Workplace Discrimination
Federal law prohibits all discrimination based on a person’s race, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or classification as a member of a protected class.
Despite many efforts being made to eliminate workplace discrimination, it continues to be a lasting and pervasive problem in workplaces throughout the country. Workplace discrimination can make it challenging for many individuals to earn a living and also can cause severe emotional and psychological harm.
Hiring Discrimination
Discrimination can occur even before you obtain employment. Hiring discrimination is among the most challenging types of workplace discrimination to combat because it can be difficult to prove why an applicant was not chosen for employment.
If you suspect that the reason you were hired was based on discrimination, an experienced attorney in Hartford, CT, can help investigate the hiring practices of the company in an attempt to establish a pattern of discrimination.
On-the-Job Discrimination
Workplace discrimination can take a variety of forms. A common type of on-the-job discrimination is harassment from a worker’s colleagues or boss. Alternatively, a worker could find that they are repeatedly being passed over for promotion due to discrimination from their employer.
Fortunately, proving discrimination as an employee is far easier than proving discrimination as an applicant. Workers can see how they are treated in comparison to the treatment of their colleagues and can document the discrimination they observe in the workplace.
Firing Discrimination
After getting fired due to discrimination by your employer, an experienced labor lawyer serving Hartford, CT, can help you file a lawsuit.
When looking to prove that your termination was discrimination-based, you must keep in mind that employment in Connecticut is granted on an at-will basis. In an at-will employment state, an employer can fire an employee at any time for almost any reason or for no reason at all. One of the only exceptions to this is that an employee can not be fired in an act of discrimination.
Unfortunately, proving discrimination in firing can be challenging if your employer doesn’t come right out and say the true reason they are firing you. Because of this, any proof you have of discrimination you suffered while still employed can be critical for your case. Your lawyer will also look to establish a pattern of discriminatory firing practices.
For a free legal consultation with a Labor & Employment lawyer serving Hartford, call (860) 999-9394
Wrongful Termination
The other primary exception to an employer being able to fire an employee for any reason in an at-will state is if the firing is made as an act of retaliation. If you were fired in retaliation for exercising your rights as an employee, you can file a lawsuit against your employer. Some of the most common reasons employers retaliate against their employees include if the worker:
- Reported discrimination in the workplace
- Blew the whistle on company misconduct or other illegal activity
- Submitted a workers’ compensation claim
- Used legitimate medical leave
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An Experienced Employment Attorney Serving Hartford, CT, Can Help You File Your Lawsuit on Time
The specific labor dispute for which you are attempting to recover compensation will dictate the length of time you have to take legal action. There are varying statutes of limitations for each type of offense. An experienced attorney can help you determine how much time you have to file your lawsuit and ensure you meet all filing requirements.
Beyond ensuring your paperwork gets filed on time, hiring an attorney early will also help them build a strong case on your behalf. The earlier your lawyer can get to work on your case, the easier it will be for them to collect evidence that supports your claim.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we can quickly identify the filing deadline for your case and get to work on the required paperwork.
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Other Common Labor Disputes
There are a variety of employment disputes for which you can pursue legal action. An experienced labor attorney in Hartford, CT, can help you recover damages in cases involving:
- Unlawful deductions
- Failure to pay the minimum wage
- Unpaid overtime
Unlawful Deductions
When you get paid, you will see deductions on your paycheck for taxes. Depending on your personal circumstances, there may be further deductions for a variety of reasons. However, you need to understand that there are strict regulations regarding what can be deducted, and your employer can not arbitrarily deduct money from your paycheck at their own discretion.
Failure to Pay the Minimum Wage
The required minimum wage for the location in which you work will be determined by federal and state minimum wage laws. Some cities have additional minimum wage requirements, which must also be met.
Unpaid Overtime
In the United States, a standard full-time work week is 40 hours. If you exceed 40 hours of work for a single employer in a single week, they are required to begin paying you at a rate of 1.5 times your standard hourly rate once you pass the 40-hour mark.
If your employer fails to abide by any of these employment standards, you have the right to file a lawsuit to recover damages.
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Get Help From an Experienced Labor Employment Lawyer in Hartford Today
The best method for ensuring you recover the compensation you need and deserve in a labor dispute is by hiring an experienced lawyer. At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we are committed to providing our clients with the best possible legal service. Since the founding of our firm, we have helped countless clients collect fair compensation.
Contact us today by phone or through this website to schedule a case evaluation with a member of our legal team.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form