Federal and state laws require organizations to provide a safe working environment for their employees. In fact, the RCW Chapter 49.60.180 of the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) discourages any form of employee rights violation, including harassment, unfair non-compete agreements, or retaliation for employment disputes. The Washington Legislature has since expanded the law to prohibit discrimination on racial and citizenship grounds.
Unfortunately, there are many situations where these laws are not followed. If you’re an employee with a disability and your employer refused to offer the right accommodations for you to work productively, or if you’re unfairly compensated for your honest work, then you may have the right to file a claim.
Some employees may be intimidated by the idea of reporting employment rights violations because of potential retaliation. An experienced Bellevue employee rights lawyer can help ensure you’re able to seek justice for your legal issues and get fair treatment in the workplace.
What is Employee Rights Counseling?
Employee counseling is where a worker who has experienced discrimination or misconduct is able to receive sound advice and support from knowledgeable legal professionals. If you’re not sure whether what you experienced would qualify as employment discrimination, then your employment lawyer can help you determine if you have a claim.
As such, you should try talking to a lawyer before bringing up your problems with human resources. Your employment law attorney can advise you on the best course of action and ensure you have the right evidence needed beforehand.
Cases Covered in Employment Counseling
The state of Washington allows you to take legal action if you have been a target of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, unfair rest periods, or a hostile work environment.
Employment counseling may be necessary if an employee in Bellevue experiences any of the following:
- Discrimination: If you are discriminated against based on sex, age, national origin, race, disability, religion, or sexual orientation in the workplace, you may have a claim.
- Sexual harassment: Whether quid pro quo or physical harassment, any type of sexual harassment in the workplace that causes a hostile work environment is inappropriate. If you’ve filed a complaint, but nothing has been done to stop the harassment, then reach out to an employment rights lawyer for legal services.
- Unfair compensation: You are entitled to receive fair wages, including overtime wages for late nights or workers’ compensation for a personal injury. In addition to the Washington State Wage Payment Act, federal laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act give employees the right to demand fair pay.
- Employer retaliation: If you file a complaint against your employer for harassment or if you file a whistleblower report, then it is illegal for them to fire you or make your work situation worse in retaliation. Should you suspect that your recent dismissal is due to retaliation or misconduct, an employment counselor in Bellevue, WA can help.
If you suspect that you’ve been subjected to any of the employment violations mentioned above, reach out to an employee rights counselor today. A competent employment rights lawyer in Bellevue can assess your situation and help you develop a plan of action moving forward.
It’s important to note that in some cases, you may need to file a workplace rights complaint before you can pursue legal action. For example, if you’re a victim of workplace sexual harassment, it is required that you notify human resources so your employer has a chance to correct the issue. Should they fail to do so, then under employment law, you have grounds for a lawsuit.
But what happens if the person who is harassing you is also the one you must report to? A lawyer can work with you to decide your next steps. An experienced employment lawyer can even help you structure your complaint during your counseling sessions.
How Can I Find An Experienced Employment Rights Attorney in Bellevue?
When you’re facing workplace discrimination in Bellevue, you need the advice of an experienced Washington law firm that has handled employment rights cases for a number of clients across different practice areas and industries.
The HKM Employment Attorneys law firm has years of experience fighting workplace discrimination, harassment, and unfair employment contracts. We’ll use that wealth of knowledge to provide sound legal advice during your counseling session.
In addition, we offer free consultations to help best determine your needs. We have the best lawyers at our firm who will walk you through the process of filing a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and provide the legal support and advocacy you need every step of the way.
