When Should I Hire an Employment Lawyer?

In an ideal scenario, your work environment should be a place where you are supported by your employer, respected by your colleagues, and given the opportunity to advance in your career. Unfortunately, despite your experience, work ethic, and your ability to foster positive and productive relationships with others, you may find yourself in a situation where you feel harassed, discriminated against, or treated unfairly by your employer. This can affect your self-confidence, self-esteem, and your ability to successfully carry out your job responsibilities. If your employer is responsible for these conditions, or has allowed them to occur, this is a violation of your employment rights. While you may be powerless in the face of this illegal behavior, a highly skilled employment lawyer will protect your legal rights, seek justice for the workplace violations, and negotiate the best possible settlement outcome.

What Types of Disputes Do Employment Lawyers Handle?

Employment lawyers work tirelessly to ensure that employees are treated fairly and respectfully, and that employers are held liable for any illegal behavior. If your employment rights have been violated, or you have experienced any of the following actions or behaviors by your employer, a dedicated employment lawyer will discuss the nature of the illegal behavior, recommend the best legal course of action, and ensure that your legal rights are protected at all times. If you are experiencing any of the following workplace disputes, a dedicated employment lawyer will help you navigate the legal process and recommend the best legal course of action:

• Discrimination. New Jersey has some of the strictest laws when it comes to prohibiting discrimination based on a protected class, including the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination NJLAD. Other state laws that protect employees from discrimination include the New Jersey Civil Union Act, which legally recognizes same sex civil unions, and the New Jersey Equal Pay Act (NJEPA), which prohibits employers from making salary decisions based on an employee’s sex. Employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees based on protected characteristics, including the following:
  – Race
  – Religion
  – Gender
  – Nation of origin
  – Age
  – Sexual orientation
  – Gender identity
  – Disability
  – Pregnancy
• Harassment. Any type of harassment, including verbal, physical, or online, can create a hostile work environment. Harassment can take many forms, including insults, threats, hitting, shoving, offensive jokes, and unwelcome sexual advances. An employment lawyer can help you file an official complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) if you intend to take legal action against your employer.
• Wrongful termination. New Jersey is an “at-will” state, which means that employers can terminate an employee for any reason, provided it is not illegal. The following, are examples of unlawful reasons for terminating your employment:
  – Discrimination: Your employer may not terminate your employment based on your age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected class. This is a violation of federal and state anti-discrimination laws.
  – Retaliation: Your employer is legally prohibited from retaliating against you for reporting illegal activities, or participating in an active investigation.
  – Breach of contract: If the termination violated the terms of a written or implied contract that guarantees your job security, you may have grounds for a wrongful termination claim.
• Wage and hour disputes. New Jersey also has stringent wage and hour laws in place to protect workers and prevent employers from engaging in unfair compensation practices. The following, are examples of common wage disputes:
  – Unpaid wages: This is when employers fail to compensate employees for hours they worked, including overtime hours. It also includes unpaid bonuses or commissions.
  – Minimum wage violations: Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum wage in New Jersey is $15.92 per hour for most employees. Employers who do not pay workers the required minimum wage may be in violation of state law.
  – Overtime violations: Employers are required to pay non-exempt employees 1.5 times their hourly wage for any hours worked over 40 in a week. Employers who fail to pay the required overtime pay, or who intentionally misclassify employees in order to avoid paying overtime are in violation of wage and hour laws.
• Employer retaliation. Employers are legally prohibited from taking adverse action against an employee for engaging in legally protected activities, including reporting discriminatory or harassing behavior, filing an official complaint with the EEOC or state agency, participating in an ongoing investigation, or whistleblowing illegal or unethical behavior. According to the EEOC, close to 60% of all workplace discrimination complaints involve retaliation.
• Employment agreements. While New Jersey employees are generally “at will,” there may be circumstances where you have a contract that includes details regarding salary, bonuses, benefits, and other terms of their employment. If an employer does not abide by the terms of the contract by restricting any of your employment rights, this may be considered a breach of contract.

When Do I Need to Hire an Employment Lawyer?

If you believe that your employment rights have been violated in any way, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced employment lawyer at your earliest convenience. Even if you are unsure whether it is necessary to take legal action, it is highly recommended that you schedule a consultation to discuss the issue, ensure that your legal rights are protected, and determine the best legal course of action. The following, are some of the key benefits of working with a highly skilled employment lawyer:

• Help you navigate a range of complex legal issues. By working with a highly skilled employment lawyer, you will benefit from their extensive experience and knowledge regarding a wide range of legal matters related to employment law.
• Level the playing field. If you intend to take legal action against your employer, this can be an extremely stressful and complicated process, particularly if your employer has a team of powerful, highly paid lawyers on their side. A dedicated employment lawyer will use their specialized knowledge of employment laws and regulations to negotiate a favorable settlement outcome.
• Guidance through the legal process. Your employment lawyer will assist you with every step of the legal process, including paperwork, filings, reducing any risk or errors that could jeopardize your case, and ensuring that all paperwork is submitted on time.
• Conflict resolution. It is common for conflicts to arise after filing an official complaint against your employer. Whether you have experienced harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, or any other issue where your rights have been violated, an employment lawyer will help mediate any disputes, advocate for your rights, and ensure that the conflicts are resolved fairly.
• Contract review and negotiation. An employment lawyer will also draft, review, and negotiate the terms of an employment contract to ensure that they protect your interests and comply with the law.
• Peace of mind. Whether you have experienced discrimination or your employer retaliated against you for reporting illegal behavior, workplace issues can be stressful and overwhelming. Particularly if you are unsure about how to handle the situation and what steps to take. An employment lawyer will help you navigate every step of the complaint process, address any questions or concerns you may have, and ensure that you recover the maximum damages to which you are entitled.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Employment Lawyer?

Most employment lawyers offer a free consultation where you can discuss fees, how you will be billed, and whether there is a “contingency fee” arrangement, which means that the lawyer is only paid if the case is successful. If you win the case, the lawyer’s fee comes out of the total damages that are awarded to you. While there is no set percentage for contingency fees, most employment lawyers charge one third of the settlement amount if the case is settled, and 40% if it goes to trial. In some cases, the terms of a contingency fee agreement can be negotiated, and your lawyer may agree to a lower percentage or absorb some of the court costs.

If you anticipate the case being fairly straightforward, an hourly rate may be more cost-effective. However, lawsuits can become much more complicated and time-consuming than you might think, and there is no guarantee of success, so be careful before agreeing to an hourly rate. If you attend a consultation with an employment lawyer, and they are unwilling to work on a contingency basis, consider working with another lawyer who is willing to discuss your goals and come up with a payment plan that works for you.

Our Cherry Hill Employment Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Represent Clients Whose Employment Rights Have Been Violated

If your employer has discriminated against you, or engaged in any behavior that violates your employment rights, do not hesitate to contact our Cherry Hill employment lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. We will discuss the nature of the illegal or discriminatory behavior, assist you with the process of filing an official complaint, and help you recover the maximum damages to which you are entitled. To schedule a free consultation, call today at 215-569-1999 or contact us online. With office locations in Pennsauken, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.