Employment Lawyers Cleveland

Employment law attorneys in Cleveland provide legal advice and representation to employees and employers navigating job-related issues.

Whether you are an employee facing employment discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, a hostile work environment, or an employer dealing with employment and labor matters, our experienced team of Cleveland employment law lawyers can guide you through the complexities of employment and labor laws to protect your rights.

Watson Kuhlman, LLC offers personalized legal counsel tailored to each client’s unique situation. Our initial consultation is free so that we can assess your case and create a resolution plan. If litigation is necessary, our employment attorney is ready to take on even the most complex employment law cases.

Our firm defends employees from all kinds of workplace injustices ranging from discrimination based on gender identity or the identity of a criminal record to unpaid wages, overtime violations, and workplace bullying. Our experienced attorneys have vast experience in dealing with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as well as labor boards at the state and local levels.

When employers are faced with non-compliance or employment and business disputes, the employment attorneys at Watson Kuhlman, LLC can also help them protect their interests by providing comprehensive advice on employment and labor laws and the best course of action.

We work with employers to ensure that they comply with all regulations, as well as develop and enforce personnel policies that protect both the employer and employee alike.

Our employment attorneys are committed to helping our clients find solutions to their work-related issues. Our attorneys provide top-notch legal counsel and representation with integrity, understanding, and compassion. Call us today at (216) 208-7858.

What Types of Employment Laws Exist?

• Civil Rights Laws: These laws protect employees from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the main federal law that prohibits discrimination in employment.
• Wage and Hour Laws: These laws ensure that employees are paid at least the minimum wage for all hours worked, and that they receive overtime pay for hours worked over a certain number of hours per week (usually 40). The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the main federal law that governs wage and hour standards.
• Workplace Safety and Health Laws: These laws protect employees from unsafe working conditions. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) is the main federal law that sets standards for workplace safety and health.
• Family and Medical Leave Laws: These laws allow employees to take unpaid leave for serious medical reasons, or to care for a sick family member. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is the main federal law that provides for unpaid leave for qualified employees.
• Workers’ Compensation Laws: These laws provide benefits to employees who are injured or become ill on the job. Workers’ compensation laws are state laws, and they vary from state to state.
• Labor Relations Laws: These laws govern the relationship between employers and unions. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) is the main federal law that protects the rights of employees to form unions, bargain collectively with their employers, and engage in other protected activities.

This is just a list of some of the most common types of employment laws. There are many other laws that may apply to your workplace, depending on your location and industry. If you have any questions about employment law, you should consult with an attorney.

Employment law lawyers are adept in laws regulating the workplace. These laws cover a variety of topics, including minimum wage, workers’ compensation, overtime pay, discrimination and harassment, safety and health standards in the workplace, family and medical leave rights, employee-employer relationships, trade secrets, and non-compete agreements.

The minimum wage is regulated by both federal and state laws. The current federal minimum wage rate is $7.25 per hour. However, some states have set their own higher minimum wages. Employers need to be aware of their state laws as they may be required to pay more than the federal baseline rate if there are different regulations in their jurisdiction.

Workers’ compensation provides financial benefits to employees who are injured on the job or become ill due to a work-related condition. This includes medical care, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and other benefits.

Overtime pay is also regulated by federal and state laws. Employees must generally be paid one and a half times their normal rate of pay for any hours they work beyond 40 in a single week. Different rules depending on whether the employee is exempt or non-exempt from overtime regulations.

Discrimination occurs when an employer treats employees differently based on their protected characteristics, such as race, gender, age, religion, or national origin. Harassment is a type of discrimination that involves unwelcome behavior, such as threats or insults, directed at an employee based on a protected characteristic.

Employers are also responsible for maintaining safety and health standards in the workplace. This includes providing safe working conditions, proper protective equipment, and adequate training.

Employees also have certain family and medical leave rights under federal law. Employee-employer relationships are regulated by various laws that govern things such as hiring, firing, wages and benefits, performance reviews, and other aspects of the employment relationship.

Trade secrets refer to confidential business information that companies store to remain competitive. Companies must take steps to protect their trade secrets by limiting access and using non-disclosure agreements.

Finally, non-compete agreements are used when employers don’t want former employees to work for a competing company or start their own business in the same industry. These agreements are subject to certain restrictions and must meet certain criteria to be enforced.

What Causes Employment Disputes?

Numerous factors can lead to an employment dispute. It may be determined that an employer treated an employee unfairly or illegally. This could involve unlawful firing, discrimination, or failure to give required breaks or pay unpaid salaries.

• Wage and Hour Disputes: These disputes can arise over a number of issues, such as overtime pay, minimum wage, meal breaks, and tip pools.
• Wrongful Termination: This occurs when an employee is fired for an illegal reason, such as discrimination or retaliation.
• Discrimination and Harassment: This can include discrimination based on race, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin. Harassment can be verbal, physical, or sexual.
• Severance Agreements: These agreements are employment contracts between employers and employees that outline the terms of the employee’s departure from the company. Severance agreements can sometimes be complex and confusing, and employees may need to consult with an attorney before signing one.
• Family and Medical Leave: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for serious medical reasons, or to care for a sick family member. However, disputes can arise over whether an employee qualifies for leave, or how much leave they are entitled to.
• Whistleblower Retaliation: Employees who report illegal activity by their employer are protected from retaliation under federal law. However, employers may sometimes find ways to retaliate against whistleblowers in more subtle ways.
• Workplace Safety: Employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace for their employees. However, disputes can arise over what constitutes a safe workplace, and who is responsible for safety violations.

Employees may also feel wrongfully accused of misconduct by an employer and choose to take legal action over the matter. Another common issue that can arise is when employees are not provided with adequate health and safety protection at work, which is illegal according to many state laws. Medical leaves and disability accommodations are highly regulated often presenting challenges to employers and employees.

Along with these problems, pay, and benefit disputes can arise between companies and unions. Legal action can be required to secure a settlement if negotiations cannot be resolved through conversation.

Who is Eligible for Employment Benefits?

Cleveland employment lawyers can help you understand which types of benefits are available to you depending on your employment status. Generally, most employees are eligible for state and federal-mandated benefits. These may include Social Security, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, medical/dental insurance, and more. In addition to these benefits, many employers offer additional ones as part of their employee benefits packages, such as retirement plans, stock options, tuition reimbursement, or other perks.

However, if you’re a contracted or freelance worker (such as an independent contractor or freelancer), you might not qualify for the same amount or types of benefits that full-time employees receive. You should consult with an employment lawyer to verify what type of eligibility applies to your situation.

Is An Employment Law Attorney the Solution You Need?

An employment law lawyer is proficient in laws that relate to the workplace. They are experienced in understanding and interpreting these laws and can provide legal advice on a variety of topics, many of which former clients have come to us with.

If you’re dealing with an employment-related issue or have questions about your rights as an employee, it may be time to contact a Cleveland employment lawyer. Working with a knowledgeable lawyer can help you determine the best course of action for your situation and protect your rights throughout whatever action you decide to take.

Watson Kuhlman, LLC is a well-established employment law firm with extensive experience in providing legal guidance for workers across the state. Our team of lawyers is qualified to represent individuals, companies, and unions in workplace disputes and will strive to ensure the best possible outcome for our clients. Contact us today at (216) 204-7858 to learn more about how we can help you.