The term “labor and employment law” might sound less exciting than some other fields of practice, but this area is incredibly diverse. As Harvard Law School’s Career Guide to Labor and The Employment Lawyers points out, “Labor and employment law covers a wide variety of topics—from wage and hour disputes to discrimination litigation.”
What are 3 rights workers have in California?
Some attorneys specialize in representing employees, while others focus on working with employers and businesses. The following are some of the main areas in which employment lawyers operate.
Wage and hour disputes
In addition to addressing overtime pay, wage and hour issues can also include problems with meal breaks and time off policies. An experienced NYC employment lawyer can advise you on how to best approach these disputes and what next steps may be appropriate.
Discrimination lawsuits
An experienced New York employment lawyer will advise clients who believe they are victims of discrimination based on race, national origin, gender, religion, age, sex, or disability, and provide advice about their options for filing a complaint with the EEOC or New York State Division of Human Rights. It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee for complaining or lodging a complaint about discrimination, harassment or other violations of federal and state laws or workplace policies.
Employment contract issues
When you hire a highly skilled or valuable employee, it is often appropriate to sign an agreement that protects your business interests such as a non-compete, non-solicitation, or non-disclosure clause. A good employment attorney can help you draft these agreements and ensure that they comply with the law.