Protect Your Rights and Secure Your Future: Trusted Hyannis Employment Attorney at Your Service
Because the legal relationship between an employer and an employee is significant, it is crucial to consult with an employment lawyer when you are ready to take important steps in your career. Whether trying to resolve a dispute or starting a new position, a Hyannis employment attorney from MA Employment Lawyers can help ensure you are protected and receive all the fruits of your labor. We fiercely defend and promote the interests of employees all over Massachusetts, and we can help you navigate big and small legal issues in your workplace.
What Is an Employment Attorney?
Broadly, employment attorneys handle legal matters surrounding employment relationships. The specific legal issues an employment attorney can help you with include the following:
- Unpaid wages,
- Late payment of wages,
- Job discrimination,
- Sexual Harassment,
- Contract negotiation,
- Separation agreements,
- Severance packages,
- Wrongful termination,
- Safety Violations,
- Access to work benefits,
- Breach of contract, and
- Whistleblower concerns.
Employers dominate their workplaces in many ways, often resulting in the exploitation of employees. In 2022, the Massachusetts Attorney General reported that it had issued $11.8 million of restitution and penalties for against employers on behalf of workers in Massachusetts. When an employee consults with an attorney about their workplace rights, they can avoid mistreatment and potentially recover substantial sums in damages.
How do you choose the right employment attorney? Look for someone who has experience, is not afraid to fight when necessary, and focuses on your specific needs. We can offer you all that and more at MA Employment Lawyers.
Protection Against Employment Law Violations
Federal and state employment laws shield Massachusetts workers from workplace hazards, unfair wages, illegal practices, and discriminatory behavior of employers. Rights from the following laws and legal principles are commonly asserted against businesses, government agencies, and organizations that treat their employees poorly:
- Massachusetts minimum wage and overtime laws—under these laws, the typical non-exempt employee in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts must receive at least $15 per hour for their work, and any work an employee performs in excess of 40 hours in a workweek must be compensated with 1.5 times the employee’s regular rate of pay.
- Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws—these laws prohibit employers from taking adverse actions against their employees because of race, age, religion, sex, gender, nationality, disability, or genetics.
- Family Medical Leave Act—this law entitles an employee to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year to address serious personal issues.
- Massachusetts Whistleblower Act and federal whistleblower protections—these laws protect employees from workplace retaliation when they expose the unlawful activities of their employers or refuse to engage in illegal acts at work.
Whenever an employer violates one of the above-listed laws or neglects to adequately protect its employees, an employee should consult with a Hyannis employment discrimination lawyer or a Hyannis employment dispute attorney about their options.
Resolving Employment Contract Disputes
While a formal employment agreement is not legally required and many jobs in Massachusetts are at-will, some employers enter contracts with their employees. These contracts might dictate special terms for a position, including:
- Benefits,
- Grounds for termination or discipline,
- Non-compete clauses,
- Confidentiality agreements, and
- Other policies for behavior in the workplace.
Contract terms regarding these matters are often legal and enforceable. However, the above terms can quickly become unreasonable and tie employees up in court if they do not have a Hyannis employment dispute attorney to help renegotiate terms and avoid litigation.
Fighting Employment Discrimination
In 2021, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reported receiving more than 300 charges of job discrimination from Massachusetts. If your boss treats you unfairly because of one of the following reasons, you can file a lawsuit, a charge with the EEOC, or a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination:
- Gender,
- Religion,
- Race,
- Color,
- National origin,
- Sexual orientation
- Disability,
- Sex, or
- Age (40 or older).
You can also initiate legal action against your employer if your employer disciplines you for participating in a discrimination claim.
From a successful legal action, you can recover compensation for your financial losses, payment for your emotional distress, legal costs, punitive damages, and non-monetary relief. And your chances to recoup the most from a discrimination claim are higher when you have a skilled Hyannis employment discrimination attorney fighting for you.
Experienced Hyannis Employment Lawyer Ready To Protect Your Livelihood
MA Employment Lawyers can provide you with a Hyannis Employment Attorney who has the skill, experience, and aggressiveness to maximize your benefits or damages in an employment agreement or dispute. Combined, we have more than 70 years of experience advocating for employees who need legal representation. If you need help, you can call us now or contact us online.
