At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, we handle a variety of different employer and employee claims. Call our experienced Pensacola employment lawyers today to get started on your case.
Employers may often find themselves investigated by multiple federal agencies for alleged violations. Whether subject to investigations by the Department of Labor for suspected wage and hour violations or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for discrimination, a Florida employment attorney helps companies avoid common employment disputes. Our Florida labor law lawyers also help employees with their legal matters.
Learn how we can assist you by calling or sending us an online message today.
Florida Employer Cases We Handle
The Pensacola employment lawyers at Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon represent companies and business owners and work to find solutions, so our clients maintain productivity.
Our offices routinely provide continuing education to our clients to inform them of changes to the current law and avoid employee disputes.
Employment Procedures and Policy Development
Implementing carefully crafted policies creates organization for your business. Putting the correct systems in place avoids costly litigation in the future. Our employment lawyers in Florida develop policies and procedures and employee handbooks for our clients.
Management Training
Our firm regularly provides management training to supervisors and managers. Educating your supervisors, managers, and human resource directors on topics ranging from wage and hour laws, discriminatory practices, and employee classifications avoids confusion at every business operation level.
Administrative Claims
Our Florida employer defense attorneys prepare companies and businesses when an employee files an administrative claim with a state or federal agency. For example, when alleging a claim for discrimination, a claimant files with the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) or, at the federal level, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). These agencies conduct investigations into your company or business.
We can help you compile necessary documentation, including:
- Company HR policies, such as employee evaluations and hiring and firing;
- The basis for any personnel decisions at the center of the administrative claim, such as a termination;
- Documentation regarding disciplinary actions taken; and
- Reports made regarding a hostile work environment and how they were remedied.
Additionally, our Florida employment law attorneys prepare your employees for interviews undertaken by these agencies.
Workforce Management
Our Pensacola, Florida employer labor law attorneys work with our clients to implement workforce management strategies. Workforce management creates a stable environment within a business by monitoring activities such as:
- Employee productivity
- Compliance
- Payroll and benefits
- Hiring and firing
- Discrimination
- Workplace safety
- Workplace privacy
- Vacation and leave
Workforce management additionally allows management within an organization to effectively oversee employee operations. Consistent monitoring of these important areas avoids opening up your business to employment disputes and litigation in Pensacola.
Compliance and Labor Laws
The Florida employer labor law lawyers at Emmanuel Shepard & Condon possess years of experience representing employers on compliance and wage and hour disputes.
It’s important to remedy any wage and hour issues within your company before litigation. In addition to litigation costs, the penalties imposed on companies for wage and hour violations can be expensive.
We also ensure client compliance with employment laws through regular audits. By subjecting your company to regular audits, it is easier to identify and remedy potential problems. This can help you avoid costly litigation in the future.
See the latest laws regarding white collar employees higher salary threshold and overtime compensation here.
Litigation Support and Prevention
The employment attorneys at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon provide experienced and focused representation to Florida businesses and companies in employment litigation.
Should any violations occur, our firm is prepared to represent your business interests and limit interruption to business operations. Our attorneys understand state and federal laws and regulations as well as applicable case law.
We can analyze these rules and help you develop an effective strategy to defend your case.
Florida Employee Cases We Handle
The Pensacola employment attorneys at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon treat each of their clients as individuals. We work hard to provide our clients with positive results for their Florida employment issues.
Our Florida employment law firm provides clients with effective representation in all areas of employment law. As an employee, when confronted with legal issues in the workplace, it may be difficult to know your rights. Employees may face multiple forms of illegal conduct in the workplace, including discrimination, and many others.
No employee should be subjected to unfair employment practices. Contacting a Pensacola labor lawyer is the first step in defending your rights as an employee.
Employment Discrimination
Federal laws prohibit discrimination in any aspect of employment, including hiring, termination, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoffs, training opportunities, benefits, and other conditions of employment. Federal laws make it illegal to discriminate against anyone based on the following:
- Age (if over 40)
- Race
- National origin
- Religion
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Disability
- Citizenship status
- Genetic information
Additionally, Florida law prohibits discrimination based on the following:
- Marital status
- HIV/AIDS status
- Sickle-cell trait
If you believe you have suffered employment discrimination, contact a Pensacola employment attorney to discuss your rights. Protect your rights before it’s too late.
Age Discrimination
Although age discrimination is illegal, individuals continue to suffer this form of discrimination in the workplace. Older employees continue receiving stigmatizing stereotypes about their productivity, competence, and commitment in the workplace.
Many employers may target more senior employees for adverse treatment based on their retirement eligibility, length of employment, or compensation. Age discrimination is rarely proven based on direct evidence.
For example, an employer rarely fires an individual, stating, “You are too old.” However, substantial indirect evidence may exist to support your claim. Contact an employment law attorney in Pensacola to discuss your age discrimination claim.
Disability Discrimination
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects individuals from disability discrimination. Disability discrimination occurs when an employee covered by the ADA suffers unfavorable treatment in the workplace based on their disability.
Disability discrimination may happen when you receive adverse treatment based on a disability. Disability discrimination can be based on either long or short-term disabilities.
Additionally, the law requires an employer to reasonably accommodate a disability unless doing so would cause significant difficulty or expense for the employer. If your employer refuses to reasonably accommodate your disability, you could have an ADA claim against them. Qualified employment lawyers in Pensacola can review your situation to ensure that you don’t suffer disability discrimination in the workplace.
Family Leave Discrimination
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires covered employers to provide employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave without fear of losing their job.
Situations qualifying for FMLA include pregnancy and care for a newborn, care for family members with a health condition, and the employee suffering from a health condition.
FMLA also provides employees with an option to take a less strenuous work schedule, depending on individual circumstances. If you have suffered discrimination based on your request for leave under the FMLA, a Pensacola employment lawyer can help.
Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination occurs when your employer terminates your position in violation of your legal rights.
You are protected from wrongful termination by the following:
- Federal and state anti-discrimination laws
- Labor laws
- Retaliation laws
For example, if you reported illegal conduct in the workplace and your employer subsequently terminated your employment, their retaliatory conduct is unlawful. Additionally, you could have a wrongful termination claim if your termination violates an employment contract between you and your employer. Proving wrongful termination is difficult and requires the counsel of a qualified Pensacola, FL employment lawyer.
Wage and Hour Claims
Wage and hour claims involve employment law disputes regarding various topics, including:
- Being paid less than minimum wage
- Being forced to work off the clock
- Not being given required breaks
- Having tips stolen
If you have faced any of these circumstances, you may have a wage and hour claim.
Employment Agreements
Employment agreements provide the rules, regulations, and responsibilities of both the employer and employee. When employers require employees to sign employment agreements, the agreement may favor the employer.
Employers may try to include language in an employment agreement that should be reviewed by an employment lawyer in Florida. Ensure you sign a fair employment agreement that protects your rights and interests by discussing it with a Florida employment lawyer before you sign.
When Can You File a Florida Employment Claim?
Don’t delay when deciding whether to file a claim against your employer. Strict time limits exist for different types of claims.
For example, if filing a discrimination claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), you must file your claim within 300 days of the date you believe the discrimination occurred.
Other deadlines may exist if you have additional requests you wish to pursue against your employer. Consulting with an employment attorney in Florida helps to ensure your rights are protected as you proceed with your claim against your employer.
What Happens When I File a Claim?
The process for filing employment claims may be different than the typical process of filing a claim in court. Although some claims may be filed in federal or state court, many claims involve administrative law and must be filed with particular agencies. For example, a discrimination claim may be filed with the EEOC.
For this reason, it’s important to contact an attorney to ensure you file your claim in the correct place. Additionally, an employment attorney in Florida ensures you comply with all requirements and seek all remedies possible under the law.
Why Should I Consider Hiring an Employment Attorney?
Navigating the complicated field of employment law alone and without the aid of a Pensacola employment attorney spells disaster for your claim.
Qualified employment attorneys in Florida assists clients in employment law matters in the following ways:
- Understanding federal and state laws and how they relate to your claim
- Knowing the requirements to file a claim or case and where to file
- Complying with essential deadlines
- Assisting and compiling required information and evidence supporting your claim against your employer
Additionally, a Florida employment lawyer represents you against bullying employers. They protect your rights and support you as you proceed in your claim against your employer.
Contact a Pensacola Employment Lawyer for Help
Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon built its esteemed reputation by providing high-quality legal services with efficiency and integrity. The Pensacola employment lawyers at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon prepare for any challenge and aggressively defend our clients’ rights. Attorney Erick Drlicka uses skill, technology, and experience to meet our clients’ needs. Our diverse practice includes individuals, families, and corporations.
Serving clients for over a century, the Pensacola employment attorneys at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon work tirelessly to preserve the attorney-client relationship, providing excellent legal services. Call or contact the Florida employment lawyers online today to discuss your matter.
