Facing discrimination or harassment at work can impact your mental peace and the ability to remain productive. Unfortunately, such cases are not unheard of in New Jersey. Not many employees know their rights or have a detailed overview of the state & federal laws meant to protect them. If you haven’t been treated fairly at work or when your employer has discriminated against you for an invalid reason, you should look for New Jersey employment lawyers. Having never worked with an attorney, you may have questions, and we have created a guide below for your help.
Reasons to meet an employment lawyer
Ideally, you should meet a lawyer when you sign the job offer. They can review your contract and ensure everything is in sync with the laws in New Jersey. However, most employees think of seeking legal help when they are in a legal mess or don’t know what to do next. Here are some common reasons to consider –
- You have been wrongfully terminated
- You have faced discrimination because of reasons like your race, gender, age, disability, etc.
- You have a hostile work environment
- You are a victim of sexual harassment, or someone at work has asked for sexual favors
- You haven’t been paid the wages you deserve, or your overtime pay was denied
- Your rights under FMLA have been violated
- You have a workers’ compensation claim
- Your employer has retaliated against you
- Your employer has shared a severance agreement
- You have suffered retaliation because of whistleblowing activities
You may have the employee handbook, which probably has information about many of these situations. However, if you filed a complaint or took appropriate steps but your employer failed to help you, you can still pursue legal options. An attorney can help you understand the nuances and whether you have a case.
Choosing the right attorney in NJ
Not all employment lawyers are the same. Firstly, start by checking whether the attorney specializes in employment law. You can make a potential list based on recommendations from friends, colleagues or other people you know. There are legal directories, which you can find online. Here are some other things to check –
- Review the lawyer’s experience: Besides expertise, the lawyer must have handled cases similar to yours. You may also want to check if they have a proven track record. Look for minute details, like whether the selected attorney has been disciplined in the past.
- Meet potential lawyers: Many law firms in NJ offer low-cost or free consultations. At the least, you should meet an employment lawyer to check whether you feel comfortable around them. A competent & skilled attorney will take time to listen and answer your questions, and as necessary, they may explain how things worked for other clients.
- Go prepared: An attorney can only give you clear answers when you share maximum details. When you step in for the appointment, ensure you have all the relevant documents, such as your employment contract, evidence you have collected so far, and correspondences like emails and text messages. If you have performance reviews, share that, too.
- Discuss the fee structure: Understand what you will have to pay the attorney now and in the long run for their services. There could be hourly rates, and if the case is expected to drag, they may ask for a retainer fee. In other situations, employment lawyers may also work on contingency. Also, check if there are other expenses or case-related costs that you must cover.
Lastly, ensure you have direct access to your attorney. Many employment lawyers have additional team members to ensure clients get timely and quick updates and can ask questions without waiting.
