Concerns about retaliation often prevent workers from taking legal action against employers. Because of this, many protections have been created to protect workers and encourage others to come forward to help ensure better working environments for all workers. If you suffered an employment offense, an experienced Worcester labor and employment attorney can help.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we understand the challenges that people who have been mistreated by employers face. Our team of experienced Worcester labor and employment attorneys has helped countless victims recover compensation. Reach out to us today to schedule a case evaluation with someone from our legal team.
Workplace Discrimination
Under federal law, any type of discrimination based on a person’s sex, sexual orientation, race, age, disability, or classification as part of another protected class is prohibited.
Even though numerous efforts have been made to curb workplace discrimination over the years, it remains a lasting and widespread problem. This type of discrimination can make it difficult to earn a living, as well as scarring victims emotionally and psychologically.
Hiring Discrimination
You can face workplace discrimination before you ever start working in the form of hiring discrimination. Discrimination in the hiring process can prevent you from obtaining employment. Unfortunately, proving hiring discrimination is challenging, especially since applicants are not always clear about why they were not hired.
If you think you might have been the victim of hiring discrimination, an experienced employment lawyer in Worcester, MA, can thoroughly investigate the hiring practices of the company in an attempt to prove a pattern of discrimination.
On-the-Job Discrimination
Discrimination in the workplace can take many forms. An employee may face harassment from coworkers or supervisors. Additionally, discrimination could lead to being passed over for a promotion. A hostile work environment can make it difficult to get through the day and create difficulty for career advancement.
Fortunately, proving that discrimination is present in a company you work for tends to be easier than proving hiring discrimination. Workers can observe the way they are treated in relation to the treatment of their colleagues and collect evidence documenting the challenges they face in the workplace.
Firing Discrimination
After losing a job because of discrimination, an experienced labor lawyer serving Worcester, MA, can help you file a lawsuit against your former employer.
When attempting to prove that you lost your job due to discrimination, you need to keep in mind that Massachusetts is an at-will employment state. That means your employer can fire you at any time for nearly any reason or without reason altogether. However, one of the few reasons you can not be fired is for being a member of a protected class.
Unless your employer comes right out and says they are firing you for discriminatory reasons, you will need other evidence to back up your claim. Proving that you were the victim of discrimination throughout your employment or demonstrating that the company you worked for has a history of discriminatory firing practices is the best evidence you can present.
For a free legal consultation with a Labor & Employment lawyer serving Worcester, call (860) 999-9394
An Experienced Employment Attorney Serving Worcester, MA, Can Help You Meet All Filing Deadlines
The amount of time you have to take legal action in an employment dispute will depend on the nature of your claim. The best way to ensure you are not surprised by an unexpected deadline is by consulting an experienced lawyer as soon as you can after the offense occurs.
In addition to ensuring you meet all filing deadlines, hiring an attorney early will also put them in the best position to 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 will quickly identify the deadline that applies to your case and begin drawing up the paperwork for your lawsuit.
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Wrongful Termination
In addition to discrimination-based firings, the other most common type of firing that is prohibited by the law is terminating an employee as an act of retaliation. Employees have a wide range of rights, and exercising those rights should not have a negative impact on their lives. Some of the most common reasons that employees are fired in retaliation include if they:
- Filed a workers’ compensation claim
- Blew the whistle on company misconduct or other illegal activity
- Used legitimate medical leave
- Reported discrimination in the workplace
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Other Common Employment Disputes
You can also pursue legal action for a variety of other labor disputes. An experienced labor attorney in Worcester, MA, can help you file a lawsuit in cases involving:
- Failure to pay the minimum wage
- Unlawful deductions
- Unpaid overtime
Failure to Pay the Minimum Wage
There are federal and state requirements for the minimum hourly wage an employer must pay their employees. Furthermore, some cities have their own minimum wage requirements.
Unlawful Deductions
When you receive your paycheck, certain taxes will be deducted from the amount you earn. Further deductions may also apply depending on your particular circumstances. However, an employer does not have the right to make deductions at their own discretion. All deductions must be in compliance with applicable employment laws.
Unpaid Overtime
A standard full-time work week in the United States is 40 hours. If you work more than 40 hours for a single employer in a single week, they must pay you at a rate of 1.5 times your normal pay rate for all the time you work beyond the 40-hour mark.
If your employer violates any of these employment regulations, you can file a lawsuit against them to recover compensation.
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Hire an Experienced Worcester Labor and Employment Lawyer Today
The best way to ensure you win your case following a labor dispute is by securing the services of an experienced attorney. At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we are dedicated to ensuring we provide our clients with the best legal representation available. Our team will work around the clock to build a strong case and get you the money you deserve.
Contact us today by giving us a call or completing the contact form on this website and set up your case review with a member of our legal team.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form