Employment Lawyers Washington D.C.

Discrimination, harassment, wage theft, and other ill-treatment at work may not only cause financial losses and stall your career but can also have a devastating impact on your physical and mental health. However, hardworking employees shortchanged or mistreated by their employers could be entitled to significant compensation in Washington, D.C.

When D.C. employers think they can get away scot-free with stealing employees’ wages or breaking labor laws, Morgan & Morgan fights back hard. Our employment lawyers in Washington, D.C., can hold unscrupulous corporations and employers accountable and recover the compensation you deserve.

The time to file an employment claim may be limited, so contact us now to find out more in a free case review.

How a Washington, D.C., Employment Lawyer Can Help You

Employment lawyers play a critical role in protecting workers’ rights and ensuring they are treated fairly and justly in the workplace. An experienced employment lawyer can powerfully represent you in disputes with your employer and advise you on your rights in many work-related issues.

Advise You on Your Rights and Obligations

Employment law is complex and can be difficult for employees to navigate without the help of an experienced lawyer. An employment attorney can “translate” the legalese and help you understand the laws protecting your rights, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Importantly, our employment lawyers can help you determine the best way to respond and assert your rights when an employer violates them.

Employment Contracts

Employment lawyers can scrutinize employment contracts and help you understand crucial details, such as non-compete clauses, confidentiality agreements, and severance packages. An attorney can also negotiate these terms on your behalf to ensure the contract is fair and reasonable.

Handling Disputes With Employers

Disputes between employers and employees sometimes escalate. Employment lawyers can help workers assert their rights in all kinds of employment disputes, such as:

• Wrongful termination
• Discrimination
• Harassment
• Wage and hour disputes
• Contract negotiations

Your attorney will work closely with you to investigate the dispute’s circumstances and gather evidence to support your case. They can negotiate a settlement with your employer or, if necessary, represent you in court to fight for what you deserve.

Protect Your Legal Rights

If you are an employee facing harassment, discrimination, wage theft, or another issue in the workplace, seeking the advice of an employment lawyer in Washington, D.C., can be vital to protect your rights. Morgan & Morgan understands that standing up against an employer can feel stressful and daunting. However, our tenacious attorneys can be by your side, help you get fair treatment in the workplace, and handle all aspects of an employment-related legal claim.

Common Wage and Hour Law Violations in D.C.

Wage and hour violations by employers are a serious problem in the US and can cost employees and their families dearly. However, if your D.C. employer violates labor laws, you could hold them accountable and recover damages. Standard wage and hour law violations include:

Minimum Wage  

The FLSA requires employers to pay their employees at least the federal minimum wage, which currently stands at $7.25 per hour. However, according to the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES), the Washington, D.C. minimum wage is $16.10 per hour and $5.35 for tipped employees. Most employees are entitled to the higher D.C. minimum wage.

Whether you work on an hourly wage or salary, your employer should pay you at least the equivalent of the D.C. hourly minimum wage. However, some companies try to get away with paying their workers less than the minimum, particularly in industries such as agriculture and hospitality.

If you are affected by illegal wage theft, you could qualify for significant compensation. D.C. labor laws allow employees to recover up to four times what they are owed, plus attorney’s fees and legal expenses.

Overtime Pay

According to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the District of Columbia Minimum Wage Act, most employers must pay employees time and a half for any hours worked over 40 in a week. However, some Washington, D.C. employers wrongly misclassify employees as exempt or miscalculate pay, meaning employees do not receive overtime pay, even if they work over 40 hours.

Denying D.C. workers overtime pay can be particularly common in retail and food service industries. However, hardworking employees in all sectors deserve adequate overtime pay. If you believe you are underpaid, an employment lawyer in Washington, D.C., can help you understand and assert your rights.

Paycheck Deductions

Some paycheck deductions, such as federal and state income tax and wage garnishments, are legal. However, employers in D.C. are generally not allowed to deduct any amounts for broken equipment, uniforms, or cash shortages, unless the employee voluntarily agrees to such deductions. If an employer makes an illegal deduction, the employee may get paid less than the D.C. minimum wage.

Misclassifying Employees

If your employer decides which hours you work, pays you hourly or by salary, and determines when and how you perform the work, you are most likely an employee and not a contractor.

Classifying employees as independent contractors can give employers a financial advantage as they could save on payroll taxes, benefits, and wage payments. Moreover, the FLSA does not protect independent contractors, which could lead to employers paying them less than minimum wage. Misclassifying employees as independent contractors is a severe violation of the FLSA and can result in the employer being held liable for back pay and damages.

Failure to Pay Breaks

D.C. employers are not required to provide any breaks throughout the working day. However, if they allow breaks of 20 minutes or less, employers must pay employees during this time. An employer does not have to pay workers for longer meal breaks lasting 30 minutes or more, provided the employee is relieved of all job duties during this time.

You Could Have Legal Recourse

Employers who violate the FLSA or Washington, D.C., labor laws may face severe penalties, including fines and lawsuits. However, workers often do not know what they are entitled to or how to get justice. Morgan & Morgan has your back. Our Washington, D.C., employment lawyers can help you understand your rights and take action if you are affected by an employer’s wage and hour violations.