THE VILLAGES LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAWYER

Florida law prohibits employment and workplace discrimination. Between 2014 and 2015, the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) handled more than 2,500 cases involving discrimination based on:

Age: If you are age 40 or older, you may find yourself eased out of a job. It is still age discrimination if you and your employer are both over 40.

Race: Employers may not discriminate against individuals, or job applicants, because of their color or racial background. Protection against racial discrimination also extends to actions against you because of a spouse or partner who is a certain racial profile.

Religion: Unfair actions by an employer against a worker, applicant, or group of workers due to their religious beliefs or practices are illegal.

Pregnancy: It is illegal to discriminate against a woman who is pregnant, gave birth, or has a medical condition related to pregnancy.

Sex: Negative actions based on gender are discriminatory and can affect hiring, ability to advance, pay rates, assignments, and more.

National origin: Consistently demeaning an employee or group of workers due to accent, ethnic background, or country of birth is discrimination.

Marital status: Marital discrimination occurs when you are denied employment, benefits, workplace flexibility, career advancement, or increased wages due to your marital status.

Disability: If you have or developed a disability, federal law protects you from discrimination concerning pay rates, training, benefits, hiring, and other criteria.

In addition to Florida law, applicants who identify themselves in these categories are protected by the federal U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Discrimination is also illegal during the recruiting cycle. Protections offered to hired workers apply to those seeking employment.

In addition, you may experience other types of workplace disputes or employment practices, such as the following:

Unpaid Overtime Wages: The Fair Labor Standards Act{:target="_blank"} (FLSA) provides that you receive overtime pay after you work a certain number of hours, unless you are an exempt employee. There are several illegal practices an employer might use to pay less than the minimum amount of money required by law.

Harassment: There are several forms of harassment — such as sexual harassment — that are prohibited in the workplace. These types of behaviors create a threatening workplace environment, and are forms of discrimination. Talk with an attorney about your situation as soon as possible to determine your options for reporting and stopping the behavior.

Retaliation: If you are fired for reporting harassing or discriminatory behavior, you could have a claim for damages due to retaliation. Florida law prohibits your employer from punishing you for filing a complaint about certain activities, such as harassment or illegal activities you see on the job. Legitimate whistleblowing is legal and even encouraged. If you suddenly find you are demoted or your hours are cut, you may be a victim of workplace retaliation.

Wrongful Discharge: Florida is an at-will employment state. Unless you have a contract that states otherwise, your employer may terminate your employment, or you may quit your job, at will. There are important exceptions to your employer’s right to discharge you. Some of those exceptions include firing you for filing a workers’ compensation claim, engaging in whistleblower activity, pursuing a claim for unpaid wages, or other unfair workplace practices.

Dissatisfaction on the job is common. But when you are uncomfortable with not being paid what you are legally owed or suffer from unfair employment practices, it is important to talk with an experienced employment attorney. Do not wait until you are fired or pressured to quit — speak with a member of our legal team as soon as possible.

We can advise you on your legal options to keep your job, improve your workplace environment, or obtain wages that are rightfully owed to you. If your employer engages in unfair labor practices, we may be able to recover compensation on your behalf.

If you believe that you have been the victim of labor and employment violations, we may be able to help. To learn what our labor and employment attorneys in The Villages may be able to do for you, please complete our free case evaluation form today.