Des Moines Employment Lawyer

Employment Lawyer in Des Moines, IA

Discrimination is a painful problem for millions of employees across the United States, but you don’t need to live with unfair and negative treatment. If you’ve experienced discrimination in the workplace, our Des Moines, IA employment lawyer can help you seek justice. At the Law Group of Iowa, we are committed to doing the best job possible for our clients and are highly experienced legal advocates. We won’t take on your case if we do not believe we can represent you with commitment, dedication, and passion. We’re excited to hear from you and talk about how we can help. Call us today to get started with a free and confidential consultation.

Before you decide to resort to legal intervention, it pays to fully understand discrimination. Discrimination can take many forms in the workplace, and while some acts of harassment are more overt, others are almost silent. It’s easy to spot discrimination when a team leader uses racial slurs, but do you know if you’ve been passed over for promotion because of discriminatory management?

Of course, workplace discrimination isn’t something for management only. You may encounter harassment from all sides, including your own colleagues and team members. It hurts, and nobody should ever have to deal with a hostile work environment. Be on the lookout for the following, and remember that this is not a complete list:

• Ageism: When you hear about discrimination, you think about certain high-profile types before others. Discrimination based on ethnicity or gender, for example, is almost always talked about in the news and online. However, age discrimination is just as painful and frustrating, and almost never talked about in the mainstream: Too often, older team members are terminated or ignored in favor of younger employees, and it seems nobody is willing to address the issue. Fortunately, an employment lawyer in Des Moines IA from the Law Group of Iowa is willing to help if you’re faced with age-related discrimination.

• Religion-based harassment: You should be able to practice any religion you want, and without fear of repercussion. If you feel unfairly targeted for your religious practices, you can always file a formal complaint and reach out to a qualified employment lawyer. Your employer is supposed to respect your religious beliefs, and they should also make reasonable accommodations for your need to practice your religion. Sadly, it’s not always the case, and many employers mistreat employees on the grounds of religion.

• Discrimination based on gender: Ageism and religious discrimination might not be the first thing you think of when you consider the impact of discrimination. However, gender discrimination is a much more high-profile type of discrimination – and while it might seem like it would be easier to spot, its recent time in the spotlight has really just driven gender discrimination underground. Employers (and employees) still discriminate on the basis of gender, but much less frequently in broad daylight. Once discovered, gender discrimination is definite grounds for legal action. If you’ve felt discriminated against because of your gender, you should reach out to an employment lawyer to consider your next steps.

If you’ve been targeted for discrimination in the workplace, you don’t need to suffer alone. At the Law Group of Iowa, we’re ready to stand by your side as you seek justice from your discriminatory employers, and we take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen to anyone else.
Des Moines Employment Law Statistics

What Employment Lawyers Do

Few people know what employment lawyers do. Many people think they only sue companies, but that is only a small part of their job. Employment lawyers help protect the rights of employees in the workplace. They can help with negotiating contracts, filing lawsuits, and representing clients in court. If you have any problems at work, an employment lawyer can help you get the justice you deserve.

Employment lawyers can handle cases involving sexual harassment at work and discrimination based on sex, race, religion, disability status, and other factors at work that violate equal opportunity employment laws. They can also help employers with issues related to workplace safety and health regulations. Under OSHA regulations, some companies are required to have safety committees made up of management representatives and employees. Our employment lawyer will be able to explain this law and other safety regulations that may apply to your small business.

Another benefit of having an employment lawyer is that we will know what types of questions are acceptable when interviewing prospective employees or clients. Many employers make the mistake of asking inappropriate questions during interviews, which can lead to lawsuits and other legal problems.

They can help you avoid costly mistakes that could negatively impact your case. They know how the system works and can get things done quickly and efficiently; often saving you time and money in the long run.

If You’ve Been Accused Of Discrimination

If you’ve been accused of discriminating against an employee, it’s important that you hire a lawyer immediately. Discrimination is a serious offense and if you can’t prove that these accusations are false, then your business could suffer. Our experienced employment attorneys will help you compile the evidence needed to prove your case.

It’s important to hire an employment lawyer right away if you’re accused of discrimination. While it may seem easy to brush off discrimination accusations as baseless and simply fire or not hire your accuser, they could bring legal action against you. If that happens and they win, not only will your business be subjected to monetary damages, but it will also suffer bad publicity that could end up making it harder for you to attract new customers. By choosing a lawyer immediately after you’ve been accused of discrimination, your attorney can collect evidence of your innocence and then help clear your name if needed. You should never attempt to represent yourself when dealing with something like discrimination accusations — instead, hire a professional who knows how to navigate these kinds of situations and protect your company’s reputation.

If You’ve Been Discriminated Against

If someone has discriminated against your business, then it’s also important that you hire The Law Group of Iowa right away. They’ll be able to work with you through the entire process and make sure that your rights aren’t violated.

It can be extremely helpful to speak with a lawyer if you feel that your business’s rights have been violated. You may think that it’s too costly to pursue legal action, but many businesses are surprised at how affordable it can be. It’s also crucial that you contact an employment law firm as soon as possible after an incident occurs so any evidence or witnesses aren’t lost over time.  The best way to protect yourself is by hiring a qualified employment attorney who knows what they’re doing and can make sure that you’re protected. We’ll help protect your rights and make sure that no one’s violating them. This is important for both small and large businesses alike because they are all susceptible to discrimination cases.

If You’re Dealing With Harassment

Harassment is another thing that can cause problems in the workplace and if not handled properly, it can have a significant impact on the business itself.

If you’re experiencing harassment at work or have questions about your rights as an employee, it’s important to know that there are laws that protect you. In fact, more than half of all states and a number of local governments have laws addressing workplace harassment. Harassment can include verbal threats and abuse, physical assault and even unwelcome sexual advances or attention. Under federal law you are protected from both race-based and gender-based harassment. You also have protection against age discrimination under some circumstances because Congress has prohibited employment discrimination on several bases including age as well as race or sex.

If you experience harassment at work and your company doesn’t resolve it to your satisfaction or fails to address it altogether, you should take action. Although an individual supervisor or coworker might be harassing you, if they are doing so because of a protected characteristic such as gender or race, you can also file a claim with your federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In most cases, employers are required to remedy issues of workplace harassment. Failing to do so could lead to legal penalties.

Also note that if you’re experiencing discrimination at work because of something other than race or sex — like age discrimination — you can seek additional protections from state-level agencies like your state’s department of labor. No matter the harassment, reach out to our employment lawyer for help.

We also handle cases in which a worker claims they were fired for refusing to do something illegal. An employee who does a whistle-blower report about an employer’s illegal activity is protected from retaliation under various federal and state laws. Thus, an employee who claims to have been fired after reporting unlawful activity to a government agency may be able to file a lawsuit based on wrongful termination. Call The Law Group of Iowa today.

3 THINGS AN EMPLOYMENT LAWYER CAN DO INFOGRAPHIC

Don’t Continue To Suffer From A Hostile Workplace

If you are facing discrimination at work or have been wrongfully determined, you probably aren’t and won’t be the only one. By taking action, you can create a better and safer work environment for others in the future. To successfully win a discrimination or wrongful termination case, you will need to prove that you were unjustly treated, which can be very challenging to do without the support of our Des Moines employment lawyer. We will determine which laws your employer violated, what evidence to gather, and how much compensation to pursue on your behalf.

If you have experienced discrimination or been unfairly fired from your job, call Law Group of Iowa today to set up a free consultation with one of our attorneys. We will go discuss your situation with you and help you determine whether you have a case worth pursuing. Some important information to have at the discussion is: 

• The details of the discrimination you are experiencing or your termination. Discrimination can be insidious, but there is often a trail of evidence to support your claims. Combing through voicemails, emails, HR documents, and other sources of documentation can often unearth the poor treatment you experienced. Writing down a timeline of events can help your attorney determine if there is additional documentation they need to request form your employer or witnesses they need to interview.
• Whether you are an at-will employee. Iowa is an at-will state. This means that your employer can decide to terminate you at any time. But just because Iowa is an at-will state, doesn’t necessarily mean you are an at-will employee. If you are a member of an union, work for a government agency, or have a contract with your employer, then you have different rights because you are not an at-will employee. An employment lawyer in Des Moines, IA from a firm like Law Group of Iowa will be able to look at the conditions of your employment agreement or contract to understand what obligations your employer has to you.

The Type Of Discrimination That You Experienced. 

Regardless of whether you are an at-will employee or not, you are still protected from the following:

• Racial or Ethnic Discrimination: It is illegal for your employer to discriminate against you based on your race or your national heritage.
• Gender Discrimination: Your employer cannot treat you different based on your gender. Unfortunately, it is all too common for this to happen. Common examples of different treatment include being passed over for a promotion despite having more qualifications than a male peer or consistently being given less desirable work than your male coworkers.
• Whistleblowing: Being retaliated against because you reported unsafe working conditions, discrimination, or other unethical practices is illegal. If you have experienced different treatment following whistleblowing, try to document these instances as much as possible. 

A hostile work environment isn’t something you have to accept. Take the first step today to making a change by speaking with one of our team members at the Law Group of Iowa.

Employment Law Statistics

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), there were 67,448 charges of discrimination filed with the agency in fiscal year 2020. he most common types of discrimination claims filed with the EEOC are:

• • Race
  • Color
  • Religion
  • Sex
  • National origin
  • Age
  • Disability
  • Genetic information
  • Retaliation

FAQ

If you are dealing with workplace harassment or other issues, you may want to contact a Des Moine, IA employment lawyer. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about employment lawyers.

When should I consult with an employment lawyer?

It is advisable to consult with an Employment Lawyer when facing workplace issues such as wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, contract disputes, or any other legal concerns related to employment. They provide legal guidance and representation to individuals and businesses navigating complex employment matters.

How can an employment lawyer assist with wrongful termination claims?

Employment lawyers can assess the circumstances surrounding a termination and determine if it violates labor laws or employment contracts. They can advocate for employees who believe they were wrongfully terminated and help employers ensure that terminations are conducted in compliance with the law.

Can an employment lawyer help with workplace discrimination cases?

Yes, our team handles discrimination cases based on factors such as race, gender, age, disability, and more. They can guide individuals through the legal process, file discrimination claims, and seek remedies for those who have experienced unlawful discrimination in the workplace.

What should I do if I believe I’ve been a victim of workplace harassment?

If you believe you are a victim of workplace harassment, it is crucial to consult with a Des Moines employment lawyer promptly. They can assess the situation, advise on the appropriate course of action, and help you take legal steps to address and rectify the harassment, ensuring a safer work environment.

Can an employment lawyer assist with negotiating employment contracts?

Yes, we can review and negotiate employment contracts to help ensure that the terms are fair and legally sound. Whether you are an employer drafting a contract or an employee reviewing one, we can provide valuable insights and negotiate terms on your behalf.

How does the process of filing a wage and hour claim work with?

If you believe you have not been properly compensated for your work, our employment law attorneys can help you file a wage and hour claim. We will assess the facts, gather evidence, and guide you through the legal process to recover unpaid wages or address other violations of wage and hour laws.

What steps can employers take to avoid legal issues with employees?

Employers can proactively seek guidance from our lawyers to establish policies and practices that comply with employment laws. Regular legal consultations can help employers create a fair and lawful workplace, minimizing the risk of legal disputes with employees.

If you have additional questions about employment law, schedule a meeting with our Des Moines employment attorney. At Law Group of Iowa, we want to help you get justice and improve your workplace.

Law Group of Iowa, Des Moines Employment Lawyer

5601 Hickman Rd., Suite 3B, Des Moines, IA.