An employment lawyer can help you protect your rights as an employee. Generally, the employer cannot force you to work more hours than the standard forty-hour work week. This article will cover the key points to keep in mind when choosing an employment lawyer. This article also covers retaliation by employers, the importance of a contract for a job, and more. To find out more about the services offered by an employment lawyer in Knoxville, continue reading below.
Employers cannot force you to work beyond the standard 40-hour work week
While employers can still force you to work beyond your normal 40-hour work week, they can’t punish you for refusing to do so. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) states that the maximum number of hours an employee may work is forty, not forty-five. Overtime hours are paid at time and a half. There are some exceptions, however, and some organizations have adopted policies to reward their employees for working beyond their normal schedule.
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that establishes the legal limit of hours an employee may work in a week. The standard work week for most employees is forty hours per week, or eight hours a day, five days a week. Many employees, however, work irregular hours, or even more than 40 hours a week. However, employers cannot force employees to work beyond this standard unless it creates a health and safety risk.
Overtime laws also protect you against the possibility of being exploited for working longer than the standard forty-hour work week. Federal law dictates that employers must pay an employee overtime equivalent to 1.5 times their regular pay for hours worked over forty hours in one workweek. However, state laws may differ. In California, for example, employers must pay an employee overtime if the employee works more than 40 hours in a work week.
Employees are protected from retaliation
When you hire an employment lawyer in Knoxville, you’re protecting yourself from retaliation by your employer. Retaliation can take many forms, including threats, termination, and reduction in pay. It’s also illegal for an employer to punish an employee for doing something that is protected under the law. For example, if an employee files a sexual harassment complaint or requests a handicap-accessible cube, he or she shouldn’t be fired for it. Often, retaliation is a harsh punishment, and it’s difficult to recover justice. An employment lawyer in Knoxville will work to protect you from retaliation and fight for your rights.
When you hire an employment lawyer in Knoxville, you’re putting yourself in the best possible position to win your case. Retaliation is illegal and requires the courage to take legal action. Retaliation is often tactic employers use to hide illegal practices from their employees. An employment lawyer in Knoxville can protect you from this retaliation by ensuring you’re treated fairly.
While retaliation can be overt, subtle retaliation is also illegal. To qualify as retaliation, the employer’s negative action must prevent a reasonable employee from speaking out or lodging a complaint. This is especially true if the employer is a large corporation. If you suspect your employer of retaliation, contact a Knoxville employment lawyer today.
Experience of an employment lawyer
If you have been terminated from your job and believe you were wrongfully fired, you may need the assistance of an employment lawyer in Knoxville to fight for your rights. Tennessee follows the employment-at-will doctrine. Under this doctrine, an employer can fire an employee at any time with or without cause and without providing any notice. There are, however, several restrictions on this doctrine. Your attorney should be familiar with both state and federal employment laws.
The Law Office of James W. Friauf, PLLC, can help you fight workplace discrimination and harassment. We offer free initial consultations and can answer any questions you might have. Contacting a Knoxville employment lawyer is easier than you might think. Just fill out the contact form below and one of our attorneys will be in touch with you shortly. In this way, you can get the assistance you need without worrying about the process.
Retaliation by an employer is illegal and retaliation is an offense that can be a traumatic experience for both the employee and the employer. Whether it’s a complaint of sexual harassment or a request for a handicap-accessible cubicle, a Knoxville employment lawyer can help you fight for the justice you deserve. The attorneys at Underwood Law Office, P.C. have two decades of experience in employment law and can help you avoid giving your employer a bad impression.