Employment relationships can result in any number of disputes or disagreements. Employees experiencing workplace problems that may have legal consequences often wonder when to contact a plaintiff’s employment lawyer and what a lawyer can do to help other than filing a lawsuit. Long before any dispute makes it to a courtroom, a plaintiff’s employment lawyer can play a valuable role. This article briefly overviews how a plaintiff’s employment lawyer can help an employee handle workplace conflict before a lawsuit is filed.
A Few Basic Guidelines for an Employee Experiencing Workplace Conflict
If you are an employee that is experiencing harassment, discrimination, workplace safety issues or any other employment disputes, there are a few basic guidelines to follow.
- Know your Rights. Employment regulations and laws can vary by state and occupation. Make sure you know and understand your rights, whether through consultation with a lawyer or otherwise.
- Document the Problem. Keep all documentation, including employee handbooks, contracts, emails and other communications with your employer that relate to the dispute.
- Manage Your Risk. Laws and regulations apply to employees as well. Make sure you follow all laws regarding proprietary information, confidentiality and legal deadlines.
The above guidelines are just a few things for the employee to consider. As you can see, each one involves knowing at the outset of a perceived problem what to do and when to do it. That is where an experienced plaintiff’s employment lawyer comes into play.
Contact an Experienced Plaintiff’s Employment Lawyer Sooner Rather than Later
By contacting a lawyer early, an employee can get guidance on the basics as well as case specific advice. Indeed, employees are often unfamiliar with the applicable employment laws and their rights. An experienced employment lawyer is familiar with workplace laws and guidelines. Further, an employment lawyer understands the effect of any employment contracts or handbooks.
Even before a lawsuit is filed a plaintiff’s employment lawyer can help employees by reviewing employment documentation, evaluating potential claims, advising employees of workplace rights and exploring early resolution options before filing suit. And if a lawsuit is ultimately filed, the employee has an advocate that is already up to speed on the case specifics. Any way you look at it, the early involvement of a lawyer in the dispute is beneficial to the employee.
Questions for a Plaintiff’s Employment Lawyer?
The labor and employment lawyers at Rogge Dunn Group have the experience needed to successfully prevent and/or resolve employment disputes. Three of the Firm’s employment lawyers are Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. If you have an employment law question, contact us here.