In addition to federal law, each state has its own labor laws. These might include how long employees are required to take a break, what minimum wage is, and other state-specific issues.
An employment attorney can act as a middleman when communicating with your employer. They can help you avoid misunderstandings and protect your rights.
Workplace harassment
Many employees have different ideas of what is appropriate behavior in the workplace. For instance, one employee may consider curse words fine while another finds them offensive. As a result, it can be difficult to detect inappropriate behavior. Some employees also find it hard to report such incidents to HR.
Employers should ensure that their policies and training adequately cover workplace harassment. This will help them discourage bad actors and protect their employees. In addition, a clear policy should include disciplinary actions that could be taken in case of a complaint.
If an employee feels they are the victim of harassment, they should immediately report it to their manager. In some cases, such a conversation can be enough to stop the situation. However, if this is not the case, the victim should keep records of all communications, including emails, texts and eyewitness accounts. They should also file an internal complaint with their employer’s human resources department (unless they are the harasser themselves). They should then contact a lawyer to discuss their options.
Wage discrimination
It is reasonable to expect that if you work the same hours as a co-worker, you should be paid the same amount. This is why federal, state, and local laws prohibit employers from paying employees less due to a protected status such as race, religion, gender, age, sex, sexual orientation, or disability.
In addition to federal law, New York has specific laws protecting employees from wage discrimination. For example, the NYC salary history ban prohibits a hiring manager from asking about an applicant’s past earnings as part of the interview process. This type of questioning can reinforce wage inequality and worsen the gender pay gap.
If you are experiencing wage or hour violations, or have been the victim of other types of labor abuse, contact a New York employment lawyer for help. A free consultation with an experienced attorney can give you the advice you need to take action. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
Freelancers
Freelancers work independently and are not covered by employment law. However, they must pay taxes on their incomes – federal, state, and local – just like employees do. They are also liable for their own expenses, such as medical insurance and business-related costs.
The recent Freelance Isn’t Free Act, passed in New York City, protects freelance workers by requiring hiring parties to compensate them in a timely manner. It also requires companies to provide them with a written contract that clearly defines the type of work being performed and the date on which the company must pay the contracted compensation.
The act also prevents retaliation by hiring parties and prohibits them from harassing, blacklisting, or intimidating freelancers. Anyone who believes they’ve been retaliated against can file a complaint with the Department of Labor or in state court. Our firm has a strong track record representing independent contractors and freelancers in employment-related matters, having recovered more than $140 million for our clients.
Free consultation
Many lawyers offer free consultations as a way to attract clients. However, these meetings are not a guarantee of representation and may not provide all the information that a client needs to make an informed decision. Additionally, they can result in staff members spending non-billable hours talking to prospects. It is a good idea to meet with several attorneys before choosing one.
During the free consultation, the lawyer should discuss their fee structure and payment policies. While this can be awkward, it is necessary to prevent disputes or surprises later on. Often, disputes between lawyers and their clients revolve around fees.
A free consultation with an experienced wrongful termination attorney can be valuable, but it is important to have realistic expectations. There are rarely quick or easy answers to legal problems. If a lawyer attempts to offer detailed advice without knowing the specifics of your case, they could lead you down the wrong path. Alternatively, you can call the Acas helpline for advice on workplace issues in England, Scotland and Wales.free employment law advice