Employees expect to be paid for their labor and treated well by their employers. Unfortunately, some employers in Kissimmee, FL, may violate an employee’s rights.
Federal and Florida’s employment laws give you the right to take legal action against an employer who violates employment laws. Here we discuss your different employee rights and how a Kissimmee employment law lawyer at Bogin, Munns & Munns, P.A. can protect your rights through litigation or negotiation.
Employment Rights for Workers in Kissimmee
Workers in Kissimmee are protected by a mix of state and federal laws:
- FL Stat § 448.110 and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provide that workers must be paid the higher of the state or federal minimum wage.
- Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), workers have the right to take unpaid leave for family or medical reasons without losing their job.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Act or OSHA gives employees the right to safe working conditions.
- The 1964 Civil Rights Act and FL Stat § 760.10 protect workers from discrimination and retaliation based on their age, race, sex, religion, national origin, color disabilities, and other protected classes.
Your employment law attorney can identify the law or laws that apply to your situation and begin to gather evidence to build your case.
To consult with an experienced employment and labor lawyer serving Kissimmee
(855) 780-9986
Examples of Employment Law Problems in Kissimmee
Our attorneys help Kissimmee workers with many types of employment law cases, including:
- Workplace harassment or discrimination;
- Unpaid wages, bonuses, or commissions, including unpaid overtime;
- Whistleblower cases;
- Wrongful termination;
- Breach of contract;
- Violation of non-competition or non-disclosure agreements;
- Failure to accommodate an employee’s disability;
- Violation of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Violation of Title VII
- Violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Workplace Harassment or Discrimination
Although state and federal laws forbid harassment and discrimination due to race, sex, and other protected classes, such incidents still happen in workplaces throughout Florida. Employers should, therefore, take reasonable steps to prevent such discrimination.
Even if the employer does not condone discriminatory behavior, the employer can still be liable. For example, if an employee files a sexual discrimination complaint against a co-worker but the employer fails to investigate the claim or take any steps to resolve the issue, the employer may have liability.
Unpaid Wages
As long as an employer knew or should have known that an employee was performing services for the benefit of the employer, the employee must be paid a proper rate.
This includes overtime. Just because an employee is given a certain title or is paid a salary does not mean they are exempt from the payment of an overtime rate. Your attorney can help you calculate how much the employer owes you in unpaid wages or overtime. Also, it is illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee who complains of unpaid wages.
Whistleblower Protection
An employee is protected from retaliation if the employee reports their employer’s violation of a law, rule, or regulation. Floridians are protected whether they work for the government or a private-sector employer.
If you experienced retaliatory actions after blowing the whistle on an employer in Kissimmee, you could file a whistleblower case. These cases can be complex, so speak with a lawyer about the specifics of your case.
Wrongful Termination
Florida is an at-will employment state. This means that employers can terminate you for any reason or no reason as long as it is not for one of the unlawful reasons. Employers who terminate employees in violation of state or federal law could be liable for damages.
An unlawful termination case may be based on:
- Retaliation for whistleblowing
- Retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim
- Discrimination based on race, religion, disability, or other protected classes
If you believe you were wrongfully terminated from your job, speak with an employment and labor attorney in Kissimmee to review the circumstances of your firing.
How Bogin, Munns & Munns Employment Law Lawyers Can Help
Our attorneys help you from start to finish. Some of the things we do to help you seek justice include:
- Gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses (coworkers, supervisors, etc.) to build your case
- Identify the appropriate state or federal laws that apply to your case
- File appropriate paperwork with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or other applicable agency
- Protect your legal rights as an employee
- Assist you with an appeal of a denial of a claim for unemployment compensation
Damages in an Employment Law Case
Employment laws cover a wide range of employment-related issues, so the types of damages you may recover if you pursue legal action can vary. Some examples of losses that may be recoverable in an employment law case include:
- Unpaid wages
- Unpaid overtime
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost benefits
- Emotional damages
- Punitive damages
- Liquidated damages
The Kissimmee employment law lawyer can review your case to see what kind of damages you can pursue.
Time Limit for Filing Your Kissimmee Employment Law Case
Employment and labor cases are subject to strict deadlines depending on the type of case. The deadlines are much shorter than the statute of limitations for normal negligence or tort cases.
Our attorneys can review your case, identify applicable deadlines, and help you meet those deadlines so you do not lose your right to pursue compensation.
Act quickly, though, as you have a limited time to pursue your case.
Find Legal Assistance for Your Labor Issues Today
If an employer violated employment laws in Kissimmee, you have the right to seek recovery for losses you might have accrued because of your employer’s wrongful actions. A Kissimmee employment and labor lawyer at our firm can guide you through the applicable laws and legal processes required to pursue your case.
Since 1979, Bogin, Munns & Munns, P.A. has worked with both employees and employers throughout Florida. Our attorneys’ practice areas are wide-ranging. We help individuals and companies navigate many types of serious legal issues that affect them, including employment-related discrimination, unpaid wages, wrongful termination, and more.
Our team is available 24/7, so you can call us anytime or request a consultation through this website.
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