Atlanta Employment Lawyers
Nationwide Employment Law Representation
Employment lawsuits are long, complicated matters that can be very hurtful to a former or current employee. We sit down with our clients and explore multiple possibilities such as severance pay for those leaving their employer, and how to protect against retaliation for those who want to stay with their employer while also filing a lawsuit. We try our best to ensure that going forward with a lawsuit is in our client’s best interest or something our client truly wants to do. HDR Law is client-focused at all times.
Employment cases are tough. They can range from problems during a client’s employment or after, in the case of wrongful terminations. For example, if you have a civil rights case based on race discrimination, sex discrimination, or based on a characteristic protected by the U.S. Constitution, you could have a viable claim based on the Equal Protection Clause. However, at the same time, you may have a claim based on “Title VII.” These two separate causes of action (lawsuit claims) also involve different requirements that must be met before filing suit in court. To file a Title VII claim, you must generally first make a claim to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. All that means is that the government must investigate your claim and render a decision prior to filing a lawsuit in court.
Technicalities like the above can make or break a case before it gets started. Another often-misunderstood area of the law is First Amendment retaliation claims, i.e., your government employer retaliating against you for exercising your right to free speech by, for example, firing you. The analysis involved to determine whether your “free speech” is actually protected by the Constitution requires a very fact-specific inquiry into the subject matter of your speech, the forum in which you expressed your speech and issues such as whether your speech related to your employment duties.
Another complicated issue is simply determining who your employer actually is. Briefly, one would think that your employer is represented by the name on your paycheck. This is not always the case. Court’s commonly employ a control test, reasoning that your employer can be a person or entity different from the entity that pays you. This can be a serious issue, especially for county employees whose paycheck is issued by the County, but his or her “boss” is an elected official whose department, such as a District Attorney’s Office, could actually be deemed the employer, legally speaking. Having an Atlanta lawyer who knows about these issues is vital.
In sum, this is an extremely complicated area of the law. An experienced employment lawyer can help you evaluate the consequences of wrongful termination and what you might expect following the termination.
Is Georgia an At-Will State?
Georgia is an "at-will" employment state, which means that employers and employees alike can terminate their employment at any time for no reason unless the employment contract states explicit reasons for termination.
Although employers in “at-will” employment states are not required to have a reason to lay off an employee, it is unlawful to do so due to an employee’s protected whistleblowing or based on any kind of discrimination. If you have been fired for these reasons, you have the right to bring forward a lawsuit for wrongful termination. Contact HDR Law today to learn how our experienced employment attorneys can help you.
What is a Fair Dismissal Hearing?
To better understand the lawfulness of your termination, it will be helpful to know what constitutes a lawful termination in the first place. Fair dismissal refers to the dismissal of an employee for a lawful reason, which might be capability, qualifications, or conduct, to name a few. If an employer has an established policy for termination, such as in the form of a contract, whether expressed or implied (i.e. company policy), the policy must be followed in the same way for each employee covered to be considered fair.
Do You Have a Whistleblower Case?
Whistleblowing is a protected action that cannot be a reason for an employee’s termination. Federal whistleblower laws protect employees from the consequences of termination for speaking up about an employer’s illegal activity. At the state level, Georgia has two statutes that protect whistleblowers–public and private.
For public employees, the statute upholds that any employee who provides or discloses information regarding illegal policies or actions not in the public interest may not be retaliated against.
However, this protection does not apply to:
- Employees who disclose information that they know to be false or who disclose information with reckless disregard for its truth;
- Employees who disclose information from public records that are closed to public inspection; or
- Employees who disclose other confidential information.
Be aware that a public employee must file a written complaint within 30 days from the incident of retaliation and may file a lawsuit only if the complaint is denied.
For private employees, the statute also prevents retaliation, with exceptions similar to those listed above. However, an important requirement is that the employee must provide the information directly to their supervisor or other internal authority before disclosing it to an outside source.
If you feel you have been wrongfully terminated despite your rights to whistleblower protection, contact our employment law team at NDH Law for your next steps.
Did You Suffer Discrimination at Work?
Your employment termination might be unlawful if it was motivated by discriminatory grounds.
By law, employers in Georgia are not allowed to discriminate against employees based on any of the following factors:
- Race
- Color
- National origin
- Ancestry
- Creed
- Religion
- Sex
- Age
- Physical disability
- Mental disability
- Marriage to a coworker
- Sexual orientation
If you feel an employer has terminated your employment or treated you unfairly in the workplace due to any of the above reasons, you should seek an experienced employment attorney to bring forward a lawsuit.
What are the Labor Laws For Salaried Employees?
If you are salaried, there are different legal specifications regarding your employment than non-salaried employees. There is an important distinction between being an exempt salaried employee (not eligible for overtime pay) or a non-exempt salaried employee (entitled to overtime pay). If you are a non-exempt salaried employee, and your employee is requiring you to complete unpaid overtime work, you may have a legal case.
What Damages Can I Receive If I File a Claim Against My Employer?
When you file a claim against your employer, you may be able to recover a variety of damages to compensate you for the financial and emotional losses that you suffered. The goal of the damages is to restore the individual's position to before they had lost their job or suffered losses.
Some of the remedies for discrimination, retaliation, or wrongful termination cases can include:
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Lost benefits, sick leave, vacation, pension, etc.
- Emotional distress
- Attorney's fees
- Reinstatement of position
- Reasonable accommodations
- Punitive damages if the employer's actions are especially egregious
Each claim is different, so talk to an attorney to learn more about the specifics of your case.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Whether you would like guidance on examining the legality of your employment termination or believe you have been unlawfully terminated due to whistleblower or discriminatory violations, our team at HDR Law can help. Our experienced employment attorneys have handled numerous cases of injustice in the workplace, and we can help you strategize a strong defense.
For more information, contact us onlineor by phone at (404) 341-4434for a confidential consultation today.
Atlanta Employment Law FAQ
- What are my basic rights as an employee in Atlanta?
Employees in Atlanta are entitled to certain fundamental rights, including a safe and healthy work environment, fair wages, and freedom from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. These rights are protected under federal and state laws. - What constitutes workplace discrimination in Atlanta?
Workplace discrimination in Atlanta occurs when an employee or job applicant is treated unfavorably due to characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, or disability. This can affect hiring decisions, promotions, job assignments, and other employment terms and conditions. - What are the wage and hour laws in Atlanta?
Atlanta follows federal wage and hour laws, which mandate a minimum wage of $7.25 per hour and overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek at a rate of one and a half times the regular pay rate. Georgia does not have a state minimum wage law, so the federal rate applies. - What is considered wrongful termination in Atlanta?
Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired in violation of federal or state laws, employment contracts, or company policies. This includes terminations based on discrimination, retaliation for protected activities, or breach of contract. - How do I file a complaint about workplace issues in Atlanta?
For discrimination or harassment complaints, employees can file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity. For wage and hour disputes, complaints can be made to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. - Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Atlanta?
Non-compete agreements are enforceable in Atlanta if they are reasonable in duration, geographic scope, and the activities they restrict. The agreement must protect legitimate business interests without unduly burdening the employee's ability to work. - What should I do if I experience workplace harassment in Atlanta?
If you experience harassment, document the incidents, report them to your HR department or supervisor, and consider seeking legal advice. If the issue is not resolved, you can file a complaint with the EEOC or seek legal action. - Is there a law in Atlanta protecting whistleblowers?
Yes, whistleblower protection laws safeguard employees who report illegal activities or violations of workplace safety regulations from retaliation. Employees can report such activities to appropriate authorities without fear of job loss or other forms of retaliation. - How can employers in Atlanta ensure compliance with employment laws?
Employers can ensure compliance by staying informed about federal and state employment laws, providing regular training to management and staff, maintaining clear workplace policies, and consulting with legal experts when necessary. - Can I sue my employer for unpaid wages in Atlanta?
Yes, you can file a lawsuit against your employer for unpaid wages. It's advisable to first attempt resolution through internal channels or file a complaint with the Department of Labor. If these steps fail, pursuing legal action may be necessary.