When Should You Hire an Employment Lawyer?

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Do you have an employee who is facing allegations of misconduct? Do you need help making sure your employer is complying with state and federal employment law? Or, are you an employee who needs advice on your legal rights? An employment attorney can help you solve business problems and get the rights you deserve.

If you’re not sure when you should hire an employment lawyer, we’re here to help you find out. Learn more about how an employment lawyer can help you or your business resolve these issues from the employment law experts at Potts Law Firm Houston, Texas.

What Are Employment Lawyers?

Employment lawyers are a critical resource for any worker or business. They’re there to help, advocate for, and solve disputes by advising employers and employees on all employment legal matters. An employment attorney can help both parties solve problems in a way that protects both parties without resorting to litigation.

Mediation and other methods can help employees feel more productive and satisfied at work during difficult times. However, there is a chance that an employment dispute could end up in front of a judge. Your case might go before a judge if the parties aren’t familiar with each other or if the disagreement continuously goes unresolved.

Issues that an Employment attorney at Potts Law Firm in Houston, Texas can assist with may include one or more of the following:

  • Hiring
  • Staffing
  • Firing decisions
  • Severance package negotiation
  • Wage theft
  • Mediation in class action cases
  • Management of legal records
  • Unfair labor practices
  • Guiding hiring contracts
  • Employment disputes
  • Harassment
  • Misconduct
  • Illegal firing
  • Discrimination

Ultimately, an employment lawyer’s key activities will vary depending on the nature of your employment relationship and the purported law violation. Here are some considerations when hiring an employment attorney to defend you against claims made by your employer, former employees, or other third parties.

For Employees

In certain situations, your employment relationship with your employer can be quite problematic. For example, suppose you’re a junior employee instructed to perform specific tasks, despite knowing that your boss might not be happy with your performance.

In that case, the prospect of going to court with your employer over workplace issues may seem quite daunting. Yet, if you come prepared with the best employment lawyer representation available, the odds of winning are considerably higher.

The most common employment problems come from employers not giving employees their due rights. An unfair labor practice is a practice that affects employees in a way that deprives them of their rights under federal or state law. These violations potentially mean that there are a lot of illegal things going on in your workplace. Sometimes, an employer will not give you your accurate payroll information even if you ask for it. Other times, an employer might deduct money from your paycheck without giving you a legitimate reason if they provide one at all. Even worse, employees may face termination for complaining about workplace conditions, receiving late wages, or even for asking why their pay is so low.

An employee who feels discriminated against may also contact an employment attorney for assistance.

Lawyers are the last line of defense against employers who want to reduce their employees’ salaries or deny them job opportunities based on their gender, age, race, religion, or other personal characteristics. Most state employment laws protect employees from discrimination if they are doing the job regardless of their gender, age, or race.

The right employment lawyer can help you reach settlement deals and avoid costly legal fees. You may even get several hundred dollars back when your employer fires you—this is known as pre-litigation compensation. Your employment lawyer will also take care of any other issues that arise during your employment—from taking you to arbitration on work-related matters to hiring you as a replacement for another laid-off employee.

If you believe your employer violated the law, the attorney can help you obtain relief from the violation. With the help of an employment attorney, you can help determine whether any action is legitimate and whether there is a chance of success on the part of both parties.

For Employers

An employment lawyer has practical experience working in various positions encompassing human resources (HR), legal services, and corporate policy. The role of an employment lawyer varies based on the size, complexity, and location of the company.

Typically, small jobs and simple disputes are by an individual attorney. However, as the size of the business increases, so does the need for legal expertise at every level of management. While the legal process may take time, the company will benefit from having the lawyer involved because time is valuable, especially in today’s economy.

Generally, the employer will request the services of an employment lawyer if they have concerns about their employee’s work performance or the way they conduct business. An employment lawyer can help determine whether there was any wrongdoing on the part of either party (involving fraud, embezzlement, harassment, etc.) and potentially take steps to prevent future problems.

A company may also seek legal representation from an employment attorney if they need to defend themselves against reports of unfair legal practices.

Depending upon the situation or potential damage to your company’s reputation, you may desire to mediate or settle without further litigation.

If your company is being sued for unfair legal practices, wage theft, discrimination, or harassment, having an experienced lawyer specializing in labor law is wise. That way, you can be sure that you correct your potential wrongdoings while simultaneously protecting your company’s assets and reputation without shaking stockholder confidence.

Whether you’re involved with an employment dispute or looking for an experienced legal team to handle your everyday legal needs, we have the highly trained staff and resources you need to navigate your way through the often complicated issues that arise in the workplace.

At Potts Law Firm in Houston, Texas, we represent individuals and businesses in employment, labor relations, immigration, security, tort law, and more. We provide effective legal representation using modern methods and technologies to help you reach your goals. Get in touch today for a free consultation.

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