People give their time and effort to their jobs with the expectation that they will paid on time and appropriately for all hours worked. Unfortunately, employers do not always respect or honor that expectation. Employment laws exist to protect workers from violations like overtime without pay, working off the clock, and unpaid rest breaks. These laws can be complex—both on the state and federal levels—and involve different government agencies or adjudicatory bodies.
If your employer violated your workplace rights, talk to a DuPage County employment lawyer about your legal options. You may be owed compensation for the hardships that you experienced. Our team of dedicated legal professionals at S.T. Legal Group could provide guidance and representation to address a wide array of issues in the public and private sectors. From wage and hour issues to discrimination to whistleblower retaliation, our dedicated attorneys could assess your case and hold your employer liable for breaching any state or federal laws.
For many people, the place they spend the most time outside of their home is their job. There are many laws in place to protect workers. However, unfortunately, there are still many legal issues in the workplace such as:
There are many forms of discrimination, such as on the basis of age, gender, race, disability, and religion. Our team could investigate your circumstances to determine which state or federal codes were violated and file claims before the appropriate bodies.
There are several ways that someone can be unlawfully fired, such as retaliation, whistleblower, and constructive discharge via a hostile work environment.
Wage and hour disputes include unpaid wages, not getting paid overtime, and other withholdings.
Illinois is an “at-will” employment state, meaning either party can terminate the relationship at any time for any reason or no reason, making disputes difficult to handle alone. If you feel that your rights were violated at work, contact our employment attorneys in DuPage County for guidance.
There are many different statutes that ensure employees are protected. For example, the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) and federal statutes like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protect people from discrimination when working.
Employers are required to provide equal opportunities for hiring, promotions, and benefits. If you experience discrimination, you can file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Illinois requires employers to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training to employees. If you are a victim of harassment, it is important to document the incidents and report them to your boss or HR department.
Moreover, every employee has the right to work in an environment free from serious hazards. This right is protected under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), which requires employers to maintain safe labor conditions, provide necessary safety equipment and training, and address and correct known workplace hazards. If you feel unsafe at work, you have a right under the law to report the conditions anonymously to OSHA without fear of retaliation.
These are only some of the many statutes that protect you at work. However, it is still vital to keep records of incidents, communications, and any related documents. Talk to an employment lawyer in DuPage County about your situation to understand your options and take the next steps.
It can feel disheartening when you experience a conflict at work. You may even wonder if whatever happened was your fault, but the truth is that you have many rights protected by the law.
A DuPage County employment lawyer could ensure that your issues are addressed properly. The legal team at S.T. Legal Group is well-versed in federal, state, and local regulations. Call our office today to schedule a consultation today.