Knowing how to settle work-related disputes requires you to learn about the most common types of disagreements in the workplace. The one factor that ties the following common types of work-related disputes is you guess it: Money.
Wrongful Termination
Unless you signed an employment contract, you most likely work under an at-will relationship. This means you and your employer can end the professional relationship at any time, for almost any reason. The key phrase is “for almost any reason.” Your employer cannot fire you by violating any of the employment laws on the books at the state and federal levels. For example, your employer cannot fire you as retaliation for your role as a whistleblower for the federal government.
Wages
If your employer underpays you, state and federal laws grant you the right to file a claim seeking back pay. American workers are entitled to a federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. However, many states have passed legislation that has established higher minimum wages. Some employers try to cheat workers out of income by paying the federal minimum wage when the state requires a higher minimum wage threshold. You also qualify for overtime pay when you work more than 40 hours during a workweek. Some states require employers to pay overtime to workers that put in more than eight hours in a single day.
Discrimination
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against workers for several reasons. For example, your employer cannot discriminate against you because of your race, gender, religion, and national origin. The types of discriminatory acts implemented by unethical employers include denying promotions, paying less money, and unwarranted disciplinary actions. You must follow the process created by your state to settle a discrimination claim, as well as if you decide to file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Sexual Harassment
As a common form of discrimination, sexual harassment can cause a wide variety of emotional issues that can lead to a decrease in income. Verbal abuse and unwanted sexual advances put a worker in a difficult position because many cases of sexual harassment come down to the version told by each of the parties. Working with an employment law attorney at Morgan & Morgan helps you gather and organize the evidence you need to prove a sexual harassment claim. We also interview witnesses to boost your credibility.
Severance Agreements
Some employers offer workers that resign from their positions compensation in exchange for signing a non-compete and/or non-disclosure agreement. Severance agreements often end up in litigation because one party accuses the other party of not following the terms of an agreement. An employment lawyer who specializes in business contract litigation represents the best option for legal counsel when dealing with a severance agreement.