Employment Attorney Columbus Ohio
Ohio Employment Lawyers
Work is often where you invest a large part of your life, pursuing passions and forming long-lasting connections. That is why it can feel so devastating when something goes wrong at work, whether you suffered unfair treatment, discrimination, wrongful termination, unpaid wages, or were denied family or medical leave.
At Willis Spangler Associates, our employment law attorneys serve workers across Ohio, enabling them to move forward with confidence. You do not have to face these challenges alone; our employment law team is here to help.
What Are Employment and Labor Laws?
When problems arise in the workplace, it can be intimidating to take action. Employment and labor laws are federal and state regulations that protect workers from mistreatment and discrimination, while also holding employers accountable when they fail to meet these standards. Employment law covers a range of issues, including hours and unpaid wages, benefits, family and medical leave, harassment and discrimination, wrongful termination, and more.
Unfortunately, not every employer follows the law, and sometimes workers are misinformed about their protections or are pressured into believing they do not have any options. That is why employment attorneys play such an important role; we help every employee understand their protections and take action when those rights are violated. With more than 70 years of combined experience, our team of lawyers at Willis Spangler Associates understands Ohio employment law and litigation, giving you an advantage when it comes to asserting your rights. We are proud to represent workers throughout Ohio, standing up against unfair practices and holding employers accountable.
Unpaid Overtime and Wage Violations
Wage theft happens when employers fail to pay an employee what they are legally owed. Violations can take many forms, including:
Off-the-Clock Work: Being asked to work before clocking in, after clocking out, or during breaks without pay is also illegal, as it counts as unpaid overtime and wage theft.
If you believe your employer is violating your rights as an employee, an employment lawyer from Willis Spangler Associates may be able to help you. You should know that, if you pursue a wage claim, the law protects you from retaliation. Employers cannot fire you, demote you, or take any other meaningful negative action against you because you pursue this type of case.
Workplace Fairness and Harassment Laws
No one should dread going to work because of harassment or discrimination. You also do not have to be fired to have a legal discrimination claim.
Harassment is a type of discrimination and can take many forms, including offensive jokes, comments, or slurs, unwanted physical contact, sexual harassment (such as inappropriate advances or requests), or a hostile environment created by coworkers or supervisors.
Discrimination can also take other, broader forms, such as being denied promotions, raises, or opportunities because of your race, gender, age, or other protected class; being treated differently than coworkers in similar roles; or being fired or demoted for discriminatory reasons.
The most common type of harassment is sexual harassment, and it happens far more often than most people would believe. But, for instance, minority employees can be harassed by being called racial slurs, and that can be racial discrimination. Disabled employees can be harassed by co-workers making fun of their impairments, and that is disability discrimination.
Harassment, Discrimination, and Employment Agreements: What’s Actually Illegal?
It is important to note that not all harassment is illegal. While it should be unacceptable in the workplace, it is not enough that an employer/supervisor/co-worker is mean. The treatment has to be an illegal activity that rises to a level of discrimination/harassment regarding a specific protected class or activity.
Likewise, not every form of workplace discrimination is unlawful. For example, being treated unfairly because of traits not protected by law, such as height or weight, does not create a legal discrimination claim. However, when discrimination is tied to protected characteristics under employment law, you may have recourse, and our lawyers can help. An employee suffering from discrimination often tries to complain internally. However, employers may choose to do nothing to correct the discrimination or will protect the harasser as a way of protecting the company.
At Willis Spangler Associates, we guide our clients through these discrimination cases. Our employment lawyers negotiate with employers to secure leave through settlement payments or employment agreements, often including voluntary resignation and a neutral job reference. We will aggressively pursue your workplace fairness case, weighing all the options and risks associated with it.
How Employment Attorneys Can Help
At Willis Spangler Associates, our lawyers listen carefully to your unique story, as we want to fully understand your situation before giving advice. At this time, we will also be transparent about the possible outcomes for your case. From there, an attorney will explain your rights and the next steps in plain language, ensuring we are all on the same page. Our employment law team will work with you to thoroughly investigate your case, reviewing records, gathering evidence, and speaking with witnesses as needed. Next, an attorney will develop a clear strategy with your goals in mind, whether it involves negotiating a contract or settlement, filing a claim, or pursuing litigation.
When to Hire an Attorney
Not every workplace frustration requires an employment lawyer, but when your basic rights are violated, or when the situation is deeply affecting your livelihood or well-being, it is time to reach out for help. You should consider contacting our team if:
You faced wrongful termination or demotion for reasons that seem unfair or retaliatory.
You need guidance on whether your protections have been violated.
Call Our Ohio Employment Attorneys Today; We Can Help
Our employment lawyers are here to be your strongest advocate. We answer any questions, so you can rest assured that your needs are our top priority. We also handle a variety of employment law issues, not just wage theft and discrimination, including:
At Willis Spangler Associates, based in Columbus, Ohio, your story matters, and we are here to make sure it gets heard. Do not wait, call our office today at 614-586-7900, or fill out our online contact form to schedule a complimentary consultation with an experienced attorney.
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When you have questions, we have answers. Reach out to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case.
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