Employment Litigation Lawyers
Charlotte | Huntersville | Hickory
Helping Safeguard Your Business’s Future
Complex Legal Landscape
There is a complex patchwork of federal and state laws that protect worker rights in North Carolina. If you’re facing claims of misconduct or even an employee lawsuit, it’s likely because it’s been alleged that you violated such laws. The consequences of these violations can be severe, especially if it’s assumed that your actions were willful. If you’re in this situation, it’s important to speak with an employment litigation lawyer in North Carolina today.
At Harman Law, we’ve spent years working in employment law. We know that protecting your business and reputation is the most important thing for your brand. We also know the effect that a single allegation of misconduct or contractual violation can have. You need an attorney on your side that can handle employment disputes, confidential cases, and high-profile litigation that may involve in-depth investigations. That’s what we offer at Harman Law.
What Alleged Employee Rights Violations Can Land You in Court?
Did you know that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces at least five different federal laws? The Department of Labor enforces another 180 such statutes. Put simply, there are a lot of ways that an employer can find themselves on the wrong side of litigation. Some of the most common reasons behind these lawsuits include the following:
Wage and Hour Cases
Federal law dictates minimal standards that employers must meet when compensating their workers. North Carolina follows these standards. If you’re accused of paying employees less than minimum wage — or of not providing overtime pay — you could end up owing back pay and additional damages.
Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Cases
Claims of sexual harassment, discrimination, and hostile work environments are very serious. The EEOC handles such claims and can approve the filing of federal lawsuits. You could face a variety of damages in these cases — including hundreds of thousands in punitive damages. And if it’s suspected that you took retaliatory actions against an employee, the consequences could be even more devastating.
Wrongful Termination
North Carolina is an at-will employment state, but this doesn’t mean you can fire someone for any reason. If you terminate an employee on unlawful grounds or as a form of retaliation, you could face serious federal and state sanctions. It’s not even necessary for discrimination or harassment to be present in such cases. Firing an employee for engaging in any legally-protected activity may be unlawful.
You Don’t Have to Handle This Alone
This is just the tip of the metaphorical iceberg. Employees in America enjoy expansive protections. If you’re doing everything right, you may never have to worry about facing litigation. Unfortunately, even the most well-intentioned employers can face unfair and unfounded allegations. You need a North Carolina employment litigation lawyer on your side if you hope to beat such charges.
Let the legal professionals at Harman Law help.
Can You Sue Employees for Wrongful Actions?
While most employers are worried about facing allegations from their workers, there are instances when the roles are reversed. You may end up in a situation where taking legal action against an employee or former employee is a necessary step. For instance, many companies find themselves in positions where former workers violate non-compete and non-solicitation provisions in their employment contracts.
If you’re experiencing such a problem, it’s possible that your company could be negatively affected by a former employee working for a competitor. Even worse, they may use what they’ve learned to build a company from scratch that could infringe on your business. The important thing to note is that North Carolina courts will not always enforce such agreements. Having a legal professional on your side with knowledge of North Carolina law is vital in such a situation.
How Do You Prevent Employment Litigation Before It Occurs?
The best way to handle employment litigation in North Carolina is to avoid letting it happen at all. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure. Harman Law can help accomplish this feat in a variety of ways. For instance, we frequently help companies craft severance agreements that deter employees from filing claims of wrongful termination or making other allegations of misconduct.
We also offer human resources counseling services so you can create a workplace that’s free of the issues that could lead to problems. Why hire an employment litigation lawyer in North Carolina in the future when you can seek the services of a legal advisor now? We can help your brand create employment contracts, host educational workshops, advise on EEOC compliance, and handle a variety of other issues that may keep you out of court.
Contact an Employment Litigation Lawyer in North Carolina Today
Federal and state employment laws very often favor workers. This is understandable, but not every alleged violation is linked to a legitimate wrongful act. A disgruntled employee may be out for revenge, or perhaps they didn’t take advantage of the protective resources your company offered. Regardless of your unique situation, having a North Carolina employment attorney on your side can prove invaluable.
At Harman Law, we spend a good portion of our time representing aggrieved employees. This means we have a solid understanding of employment law from all sides. Whether you’re facing claims of wrongful termination, wage and hour violations, sexual harassment, or workplace discrimination, we can review your case and help you decide how to move forward. Contact us today by calling (704) 286-0947 to schedule a case evaluation.
The employment litigation lawyers in North Carolina at Harman Law are ready to advocate for your business.