Suffering on-the-job discrimination or another type of workplace violation can be traumatic and create significant challenges for your financial future. Unfortunately, proving that an offense occurred can often be challenging. However, an experienced Providence labor and employment attorney will know exactly what to look for when attempting to prove a workplace violation.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we are familiar with all aspects of labor and employment law. Our team of experienced Providence labor and employment lawyers will work diligently to help ensure you recover the compensation you need and deserve. Get in touch today to set up a case evaluation with a member of our legal team.
Workplace Discrimination
Federal law prohibits any form of discrimination against a person based on their race, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or if they belong to another protected class.
Sadly, workplace discrimination is still a persistent and pervasive problem in our country. The challenges created by workplace discrimination are often significant. The damage caused by this offense can make earning a living challenging while also causing emotional and psychological harm.
Discrimination can occur during the hiring process, throughout your employment, or at the time of your termination.
Hiring Discrimination
When looking for a job, discrimination can be a significant obstacle to finding employment. Unfortunately, proving hiring discrimination comes with significant challenges. Unless the discrimination is overt, it can be hard to tell if the reason you weren’t hired was due to discrimination or not.
If you suspect that you were not hired because of discrimination, an experienced employment attorney in Providence, RI, can investigate the employer’s hiring history in an attempt to establish a pattern of discriminatory hiring practices.
On-the-Job Discrimination
Discrimination that occurs while you are on the job can take many different forms. You could face harassment from coworkers or a superior or find that you are unable to advance in the company due to bias.
The question of whether discrimination occurred or not is often clearer in these cases, as the employee has time to observe the way they are treated in relation to the treatment of their colleagues. Workers can gather evidence over time to help prove their case.
Firing Discrimination
If you are wrongfully terminated from your job because of discrimination, a labor lawyer serving Providence, RI, can help you file a lawsuit against your former employer.
Rhode Island is an at-will employment state, which can make proving discrimination challenging. Employers can terminate employment at any time without cause or explanation.
Because of this, you will likely have to prove that discrimination also occurred during your employment with the company or establish a history of discrimination in the hiring and firing practices of the company.
For a free legal consultation with a Labor & Employment lawyer serving Providence, call (860) 999-9394
Wrongful Termination
In addition to firings related to discrimination, there are other forms of wrongful termination that can occur. While you can be fired for no reason in Rhode Island, there are certain conditions under which your employment can not be terminated.
The other most common type of wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee in retaliation. Retaliation-based firings are often made against employees who:
- Reported discrimination
- Filed a workers’ compensation claim
- Used legitimate medical leave
- Blew the whistle on company misconduct or other illegal activity
Providence Labor & Employment Lawyer Near Me (860) 999-9394
Unpaid Overtime, Minimum Wage, and Unlawful Deductions
There are a variety of other employment disputes that an experienced labor attorney in Providence, RI, can help you resolve. Some of the claims we handle most often include complaints against employers for unpaid overtime, failing to pay the minimum wage, and making unlawful deductions from an employee’s paycheck.
The federal standard for a full-time work week is 40 hours. If you work more than 40 hours for an employer in a single week, they must pay you at a rate of 1.5 times your normal hourly wage. Additionally, employers must pay their employees at a rate that aligns with the federal and state minimum wage.
When it comes to deductions on your paycheck, there are strict legal regulations about what can be withheld. While taxes and other fees can be deducted, your employer can not choose to withhold money based on their own standards.
Click to contact our labor & employment lawyers today
An Experienced Employment Lawyer Serving Providence, RI, Can Help Ensure You Meet All Filing Deadlines
The deadline for filing a lawsuit against your employer will vary depending on the offense. An experienced employment attorney can help identify the specific deadline that applies to your case and ensure that your lawsuit is filed on time.
Hiring an attorney early can be critical for ensuring you meet the filing deadline and protecting your right to recover damages.
Additionally, the sooner you retain legal services, the easier it will be for your attorney to collect evidence and build a strong case on your behalf.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Get Help from an Experienced Providence Labor and Employment Attorney Today
The best way to improve your chances of winning your case and collecting compensation from an employer after a labor dispute is by hiring an experienced lawyer to handle your case. At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we have a long history of helping people who have been victimized by employers recover compensation.
Our team will work diligently to ensure you recover the compensation you need and deserve from those liable for their damages. Contact us today by giving us a call or completing our online contact form to schedule a case evaluation with a member of our legal staff.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form