When Should I Hire an Employment Lawyer?

Hiring an employment lawyer is a personal decision. Many people wait until they are at their breaking point at work before they seek legal advice. Seeking advice before you get to that point could help you make decisions along the way, even before you are ready to file legal claims against your current or former employer.

Unfair versus Discriminatory Employment Actions

Employees may often feel as though there are unfair practices happening in the workplace. The question is whether these practices are illegal. Workplace inequities can become complex issues when an employer’s actions are discriminatory or in violation of other employee protection laws, such as the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or other wage and hour violations.

Discriminatory acts are never couched as such by an employer. For example, if an employer is undergoing mass layoffs, but all the people laid off are over a certain age, this act could be a violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. If a woman is paid less than her male counterpart, it may not necessarily be because she was hired after him. This could be a violation of the Equal Pay Act.

Additionally, some people may be continually denied promotions due to that person’s sex, race, or disability. An employer can give all sorts of pretexts as to why they made certain decisions, but a closer look could reveal a discriminatory act.

Reaching Out to an Attorney

If you suspect that an unfair work practice is connected to a protected class, or that there was discrimination involved, at that point, it is a good idea to contact an attorney to better understand your situation within a legal framework.  Additionally, the attorney may give you advice about what to document or ask for in the context of your specific situation. If you were asked to sign something in your office regarding your employment, that is also a good time to seek legal advice before signing.

Employees should always remember that their employer’s attorney is representing the interests of the company and they do not represent individual employees. You may wish to have your own legal counsel present if you have a meeting with the company’s attorney.

Cherry Hill Employment Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Help Victims of Employment Discrimination

Often, people who are discriminated against at work may not realize it or they may become de-sensitized to the behavior over time. It is against state and federal law to discriminate against employees based on their belonging to a protested class. The Cherry Hill employment lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. can review your case and offer the next best steps. Call us at 215-569-1999 or contact us online for a free case evaluation. Located in Pennsauken, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout South Jersey, including Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Marlton, Moorestown, and Mount Laurel.