What Is Employment Law?
Employment law encompasses a large group of laws governing the relationship between employees and employers. It is a specific area of law requiring extensive knowledge of federal and state labor laws, court opinions, administrative rules, federal and state constitutions, and business law.
What Areas Does Employment Law Cover?
Employment disputes range from work hours and wages to discrimination and wrongful discharge. Our law firm handles all areas of employment law, including, but not limited to, the following areas:
Discrimination in the Workplace
Discrimination is prohibited by several federal and state laws and can take many forms. Age, gender, race, pregnancy, sex, and disability discrimination are examples of illegal actions possibly resulting in a discrimination claim. The federal and state laws against discrimination in the workplace are complex and change frequently through legislation and court opinions. If you feel an employer or co-worker is discriminating against you for any reason, seek legal counsel as soon as possible. You could be protected by laws you may not know exist.
Wrongful Termination Lawsuits
Ohio is an “employment-at-will” state. In other words, employers can generally terminate employees for any reason regardless of whether the reason is fair. However, the employment-at-will laws do not allow employers to fire employees for illegal reasons, such as discrimination or retaliation. Employers also cannot fire employees for reasons against public policy.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment in the workplace is under-reported for several reasons. Some victims of sexual harassment assume no one will believe them, they feel embarrassed, or they fear retaliation by their employer, manager, or co-worker. However, employees who are subject to sexual harassment at work are protected by federal and state laws. You do not need to endure unwanted or inappropriate comments, touching, sexual advances, or offensive jokes. You have the legal right to work in an environment free from sexual harassment.
Wage Disputes
Ohio’s minimum wage laws and laws governing working hours protect employees from unfair practices by employers. Wage and hour laws provide standards employers must meet or exceed. In addition to state wage and hour laws, the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) also protects workers in Ohio.
Employment Contracts
Non-compete agreements, severance agreements, and executive level documents are becoming more common in the workplace. Employment contracts are enforceable under Ohio employment laws provided the agreement meets certain standards and it does not violate specific laws. Before entering into an employment agreement, you should consult with an employment attorney to protect your rights. If you dispute the terms of your employment contract, we may be able to help you.
The employment attorneys at Robert A. Klingler Co., L.P.A. want to protect your rights under federal and Ohio employment laws. Contact our office to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your situation.
