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Employment law attorneys in Philadelphia help employees who have been treated unfairly or wronged in the workplace. Whether the employee experiences discrimination, wage and hour violations, family leave violations, is a whistleblower or signs an unenforceable contract or non-compete agreement, he or she is entitled to justice. For the past 25 years, the Derek Smith Law Group has helped employees receive justice for these violations.
Employment law encompasses many areas of the workplace. In most incidences, the employee is unfairly treated or experiences some type of harassment for a reason that is illegal and immoral. Whether the employer is discriminating against an employee, attempting to save some money through the employee’s paycheck, or denying employee rights the law sets forth, employment law attorneys can work with the employee to get the compensation he or she deserves. Issues that related to employment law in Philadelphia include:
1. Discrimination: Employment discrimination is when an employer/CEO, supervisor/manager, fellow-employee or non-employee unfairly treats or harasses an employee or job applicant because he or she is over 40, pregnant, of a certain race, of a certain national origin, of a certain religion, maintains a certain military status, maintains a certain citizenship status, of a certain gender, of a certain sexual orientation, has a disability, has certain known genetic information, or of a certain gender identity. This is known as a protected class under the law and this type of behavior is illegal.
2. Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment is unwanted physical contact, sexual advances, or sexual comments that come from an employer/CEO, supervisor/manager, fellow employee, or non-employee and affect the work environment of an employee or job applicant.
This can include sexism in the workplace, quid pro quo (this for that) propositions, sexual jokes, sexual comments and advances, and retaliation for refusing sexual advances.
3. Retaliation: Retaliation is when an employee is fired, demoted, experiences a reduction in pay, reported to ICE, or experiences any other adverse action in the workplace because he or she reported wrongdoing in the workplace or denied sexual advances. When an employer retaliates against an employee, he or she is looking to get back at the employee for what the employer considered misbehavior.
4. Wage and Hour: Wage and hour issues relate to employee pay and classification. An employee who makes under $23,650 per year and/or is not in a management position must be a non-exempt employee. That means the employee must get paid 1.5x his or her hourly salary after reaching 40 hours in one workweek. In addition, wage and hour issues relate to how an independent contractor is classified and whether the employer can report an individual as an independent contractor, which would make it legal for the employer to not pay benefits to the contractor. Finally, wage and hour applies to employees that are paid “under the table” which not only negates the need for the employee to make overtime pay or receive benefits, but allows the employer to avoid paying government-mandated payroll taxes relating to the employee.
5. Wrongful Termination: Wrongful termination applies to an employee is terminated or fired from a job because he or she is a member of a protected class, is being retaliated against for reporting an issue, refusing sexual advances, or while away from the office on approved family leave.
6. Family Leave Act: The Federal government enacted the Family Leave Act to allow employees to take unpaid time away from their job to care for a close family member or bond with a newborn or adopted child without the fear of losing his or her job. The City of Philadelphia enacted the Promoting Health Families and Workplaces Ordinance to allow employees in the City of Philadelphia to take either paid or unpaid leave to care for an ill family member or bond with a newborn or adopted child. During this approved time off, an employer cannot fire the employee. In addition, the employer cannot deny the use of this time to an employee unless the employee has used the allotted time available already or it causes an extreme hardship on the employer.
7. Whistleblower Claims: An employee of a government entity or a company that receives any amount of government funding has the right to report wrongdoing on behalf of the company and its supervisors/managers to a person who can act on the information. This person becomes a whistleblower. Whistleblowers are the backbone to the system of checks and balances needed to oversee government employers and government funding. The whistleblower can file a qui tam action in which he or she sues the company without the support of the city Solicitor and will receive 15% to 25% of the recovered monies from the claim. Employers are not permitted to take any retaliatory action against a whistleblower. They are also prohibited from insisting the whistleblower’s identity be revealed.
8. Employment Contract and Non-compete issues: Employment contract and non-compete issues encompass a wide array of issues. Although an employment contract or non-compete clause is signed, it may not be enforceable. At the very least, portions may be unenforceable. It is essential to sort of the clauses that may be unenforceable to make sure you are properly compensated and receiving all of the rights and benefits the law provides for employees in Philadelphia.
Discover how our expertise has helped clients overcome their legal challenges and achieve successful outcomes.
View All TestimonialsDuring the time that I really needed a good counselor and I was approaching different attorneys unfortunately before they heard the problem they were demanding a retainer fee. A friend of mine introduced me to the Derek Smith Law Group and I was very fortunate to be answered by Matt Finkleberg who was very polite and understanding and gave me a lot of confidence without asking for any fees in f... Read Full Testimonial
Matt Finkleberg is by far the best attorney I’ve ever hired!
Matt Finkelberg is an outstanding attorney. It was a pleasure to have him represent me for my employment case. He was very easy to talk to. He was very supportive and knowledgeable throughout the whole process. He explained the entire process to me and kept me informed every step of the way. Matt fought diligently throughout my case to make sure my case was represented best. I am very gratef... Read Full Testimonial
Matt Finkelberg is a top notch lawyer. He is very easy to talk to and truly cared about me as his client. He definitely earned my trust and confidence in his capabilities to represent me in the most professional respects. I give Matt and his firm the Derek Smith Law Group my highest recommendation to anyone who is seeking legal help for employee/employer related matters.
Matt Finkelberg is a life saver. During this whole process not only did I have a great lawyer but I also made a great friend. Matt was very attentive to my case, and mental health. Matt helped me during probably the darkest time of my life and for that I am forever grateful to have came across the Derek Smith law group. As a past client, I 100% recommend Matt Finkleberg. Matt provides a safe sp... Read Full Testimonial
It was a pleasure to have Casey represent and help me for my employment case. It was my first time needing an attorney, so I was a bit apprehensive at first – Casey took the time to answer all of my questions and fully explain everything to me, which really put me at ease. He was very attentive, supportive, and knowledgeable throughout the whole process – Casey would ask questions to ensure... Read Full Testimonial
matt is an excellent attorney. he handled my case with the utmost care and highly exceeded all expectations. i could not recommend derek smith and esp. matt finkelberg enough
It was a pleasure to have Casey represent and help me for my employment case. It was my first time needing an attorney, so I was a bit apprehensive at first – Casey took the time to answer all of my questions and fully explain everything to me, which really put me at ease. He was very attentive, supportive, and knowledgeable throughout the whole process – Casey would ask questions to ensure... Read Full Testimonial
You will be in great hands at this firm! Alyssa the managing paralegal is an absolute professional who excels at what she does. You can tell she truly cares about providing the best service possible, and is passionate about helping her clients. With Alyssa at the helm, this firm is a top-notch choice for anyone seeking assistance. Highly recommend!
Matt Finkelberg is Amazing and Devotional! It was a pleasure to have Matt represent me for my employment case. He was very attentive, supportive, and knowledgable throughout the whole process. Whenever I reached out he responded promptly which I greatly appreciated. Matt fought diligently and hard throughout my case to make sure my case was represented best. Thank you again Matt for everything.... Read Full Testimonial
Olivia is absolutely outstanding! She understands the emotional side of your case while being able to find the legal aspects of holding the employer accountable for breaking the law! Made a really terrible situation a little easier by explaining everything and helping me get everything in order and in the right hands. I would not use anyone else! Call them for any sexual harassment case... You ... Read Full Testimonial
Our dedicated attorneys are ready to fight for your workplace rights and ensure justice!
Employment law in Philadelphia includes many issues that occur in the workplace or with individuals at or away from work. Some examples of employment law issues in Philadelphia may include:
who is Asian less than an employee who is Caucasian when they are both doing the same job and have the same title within the company and have been working for approximately the same amount of time with the company
These are just a few of the many examples of employment law issues that can lead to litigation in Philadelphia.
When an employee experiences any issues in the workplace, he or she may be entitled to compensation. While each employment law concern and case is different many remedies would be available to anyone dealing with any employment law issues in Philadelphia. Some of the standard remedies include:
As mentioned above, the Pennsylvania Whistleblower laws also allow whistleblowers 15% to 25% of the monies recovered from an employer when he or she moves forward with filing the claim on because of the City Solicitor.
Employees should be able to work in an environment in which the laws and protections provided employees are followed. They should be able to work in an environment free from discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, and any other employment law violations. If you have been the victim of an employment law violation, the experienced attorneys at Derek Smith Law Group can help. Contact us today at (215) 391-4790 for a free consultation. We do not collect any money until you win your case.
Our experienced legal team provides reliable services in key U.S. cities, ensuring expert assistance for workplace discrimination and employment law matters wherever you are located.