What Is Employment Law?

There are many different types of law. When an attorney practices employment law, they are focused on the rights of employees or employers. Our firm exclusively represents employees and fights for their rights to be treated in accordance with various employment laws. Essentially, we help employees navigate employees’ relationships with their employers in terms of their obligations and protections. There could be issues of wrongful termination or pay concerns, for example.

Lawyers who represent individual workers can also help unions and collective actions. The Columbus employment attorneys at Coffman legal represent employees on the plaintiffs’ side. With a focus on wage and hour issues, Coffman lawyers are employees’ rights attorneys.

Terms that are Specific to Employment Law

If you are moving forward with an employment law case, there are a handful of terms your lawyer may use that are not used in conversations outside of the law. These could include one or more of the following.

• At-will employment. This is a working agreement that does not have a contract attached. Either party can exit the employment bond when they wish, for any reason that is legal.
• Front pay. Employment law damages that an employee would have collected if they had been in a position they were illegally separated from.
• Back pay. Compensation for pay the employee would have earned if they had not been illegally fired.
• Overtime compensation. A rate of pay that is higher than an employee’s standard rate which should legally be paid after a non-exempt employee has worked over 40 hours in a workweek. Overtime is one and one-half times employees’ regular rate of pay. Regular rate of pay is often, but not always, an employees’ hourly rate of pay. There are many nuances to overtime pay, so discussing it with an employment attorney is advisable.
• Hostile environment. When there is harassment or behavior that violates laws around discrimination in a workplace, it could be described as a hostile work environment.
• A term sometimes used for individuals who report the illegal employer practices or acts, protections are in place for whistleblowers.

Of course, if a term comes up that you are not familiar with, simply ask your Columbus employment attorney to define it. Knowing your rights and how they are being protected is an important part of the employment law process.

Why Individuals Turn to Action

People and groups turn to employment law to exercise their rights. After all, it is illegal to be not compensated in accordance with wage and hour laws, wrongfully terminated, or discriminated against. In many circumstances, people also have the right to be on leave when they have medical issues. Protections exist on both the federal and state levels.

Sometimes, lawyers are needed for wage and hour issues. Employers in Ohio and around the country are obligated by law to pay their workers at least the minimum wage. Then, if the non-exempt worker puts in hours beyond 40 hours within a workweek, overtime compensation guidelines need to be followed. Overtime and pay issues can be complicated, our experienced overtime lawyers are here to help.

Of course, each case needs to be assessed individually. For example, in order for an employee to have a right to medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act, the business they work for needs to have 50 or more employees.

Do you have questions about employment law? Contact the experienced employment lawyers at Coffman Legal LLC today. We are strong and committed advocates for all Ohio workers and use our experience and knowledge to help you. Call 614-949-1181 for a free and confidential consultation.