Washington DC Employment Law Lawyer

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Employment Law

Employment Lawyer Washington DC

As an employment lawyer Washington DC employees can count on can attest, for many people, work is not just a means of putting food on their family’s table. It’s also a source of meaning in their lives. We can take pride in working hard to a see a job well done. And in today’s uncertain economy, many people have been asked to work harder for less. When just having a job seems a blessing, most people won’t complain about having to do a little more.

Unfortunately, the bad economy is one of the factors that has led some employers to try to cut costs by cutting workers’ out of pay they have earned, overtime pay, or by paying them less than minimum wage. This is not only unfair, it can also be unlawful. Most employers who engage in these abuses are counting on their employees being too afraid of losing their jobs to do anything about it. Sadly, they are often right. And if you’re in need of a car accident lawyer DC has come to rely on, contact us right away as well.

No matter what kind of place you work in, no matter at what level position you have, employees are supposed to be protected under the law. And while many employers uphold these laws, many employers do not. Many employees fear retaliation against them if they speak up about the employer not giving them what they are owed under the law. When it comes to wages in Washington DC, certain employees are protected by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). If you or someone close to you needs the FLSA Attorneys Washington DC trusts, don’t hesitate in contacting us day or night for a consultation. 

Employment law is a broad term for the collection of laws and rules that regulate relationships between employers and employees. Employment laws also say when an employer can hire employees and when employees can work. Employment laws cover what an employer must compensate employees for their work. Employment laws create minimum requirements for working conditions for employees.

The FLSA or Act, administered by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD), establishes standards for minimum wages, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor. These standards affect more than 135 million workers, both full time and part time, in the private and public sectors. If your employer in the Washington DC area has violated the standards of ACT, you may want to contact an employment attorney in the Washington DC area.

Many do not realize that Act doesn’t just cover big businesses, it also covers domestic service employees, such as housekeepers, cooks, gardeners, nurses, or home health care aides, if they receive at least $1,900 from one employer in a calendar year (as of 2015), or if they work a total of more than eight hours a week for one or more employers. This calendar year wage threshold is set by the Social Security Administration each year. 

Meanwhile, the Act has standards that exempts some employees from its overtime pay and minimum wage provisions, and it also exempts certain employees from the overtime pay provisions only–but those exemptions are narrowly defined. Some employers may violate what is exempt and what is not—therefore, you may want to contact an employment law attorney, who can help.

Meanwhile, some workers may suffer at the hands of an employer for standing up to misdeeds in the workplace. If you have suffered retaliation from your employer, you may want to contact an employment law attorney in the Washington DC area. Many times employees can become the victims of harassment and illegal discrimination on the job. If you have been victimized by illegal treatment, discrimination and retaliation for exposing fraud and other wrongdoing, you may need an employment lawyer. You also  may need an employment lawyer in the Washington DC area to deal with immigration matters and government employees in personnel proceedings, including gaining and renewing security clearances or employment contract negotiations.

An employment lawyer can help with rewards and rewards and protection for Whistleblowers, discrimination in the workplace, workplace sexual harassment, wrongful termination, disputes over ages and leave, discrimination as a federal employee.

Some of the most notable employment law in Washington DC and all 50 states include:

Minimum wage laws:

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 sets a federal minimum wage, but states also have their minimum wage laws. State’s minimum wage can’t go below the federal minimum wage, but it can be higher. Currently, 29 states and Washington D.C. have minimum wages above the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour. However, different types of employees have different considerations. Employees who earn tips may be able to rely on tips to make up some of the employee’s minimum pay.

Overtime pay:

According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, an employer must pay time and a half for any hours that an hourly employee works over 40 hours per week. The employee has a right to overtime pay. There is no maximum number of hours that an employee can work in a week, but an employer must pay overtime each hour that an employee works over 40 hours in one week. Keep in mind, there’s no right to overtime pay for working on a Saturday or Sunday if the employee has worked under 40 hours. There is also no limit to the number of days an employee can work in one week. An employee can work all seven days, but if the amount of hours is less than 40, that employee will not receive overtime pay.

Family and medical leave:

Sadly, the United States has no requirement for paid medical leave. But, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1963 says that large employers must offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid family leave, which an employee can utilize after the birth of a child or an adoption. Additionally, an employee can use it for their own health problem or to care for a spouse, child or parent with a serious health condition. If you were entitled to family or medical leave, but your employer has not compensated you for that, you can contact an employment lawyer.

Safe working conditions:

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) an employee has a right to safe working conditions. OSHA protects employees from foreseeable hazards at work including chemicals, extreme temperatures, noise, sanitation problems and conditions that are likely to cause injuries. Employers can’t retaliate against an employee for exercising their rights under OSHA. If your employer has retaliated against you for exercising your rights under OSHA you may want to contact an employment lawyer.

If you believe you haven’t been treated fairly by your employer, you can do something about it. You are not helpless. Employment lawyers Washington DC employees can turn to for help at Cohen & Cohen, PC are ready to fight for the pay you earned. Whether it’s minimum wage violations, or unpaid overtime, our lawyers help clients recover what they are owed. 

The overtime lawyers at Cohen & Cohen, PC know that one of the most powerful tools available to workers is the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This federal law requires that employers pay overtime and meet federal minimum wage requirements. The law lets workers recover against violating employers for:

• back pay
• double recovery
• attorneys’ fees
• punitive damages

To bring a claim under the FLSA a worker must meet certain requirements, including (1) being a non-exempt employee, and (2) working for a business that is engaged in interstate commerce or generated a certain amount of revenue in a calendar year. The employment attorneys at Cohen & Cohen, PC can tell you if you are covered by the FLSA minimum wage, overtime, or other protections. Call us for a free consultation to see if you qualify.

Besides the FLSA, there are other federal and state laws protecting workers. The patchwork of laws affecting employment and wages can seem confusing and overwhelming. If you believe you have not been paid for work you’ve done, or if you think your employer may be violating labor laws, call the employment lawyers Washington DC is fortunate to have in its midst at Cohen & Cohen, PC for a free case evaluation.

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