There are many situations in which you might need to take legal action against your employer. Some of the most common reasons why employees claim against their employers include unfair treatment, unsafe working conditions, and wrongful dismissal.
You may be able to resolve a minor employment dispute with your employer directly. Together, you and your employer can talk through the issue and come to a resolution that you’re both happy with.
However, you might not be able to see eye-to-eye with your employer. There may be a misunderstanding or differing opinions that you can’t get past, or your employer might refuse to cooperate with you to overcome the dispute.
Hiring a Lawyer to Claim Against Your Employer
You’re best hiring a legal expert to help with the resolution of your issue if you can’t resolve it directly with your employer. When you have a lawyer on your side , you can rest assured knowing that they will protect your rights and have your best interests at heart when negotiating with your employer.
If needed, your chosen lawyer will be able to help you file a claim in court and take legal action against your employer to gain compensation for any financial losses, inconvenience, and trauma they might have caused you.
When to Take Legal Action Against Your Employer
Here are some of the many situations when you should hire an employment lawyer and take legal action against your employer.
Discrimination and harassment
If you believe you are the victim of discrimination based on one or more of your protected characteristics (such as your age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, disability, pregnancy, or military status) and your employer refuses to address the issue, you may have to take legal action.
You will need to document any instances of discrimination in the workplace and reports you have filed to your employer in as much detail as possible. Gathering evidence and documentation will strengthen your case if you claim against your employer for their lack of protection and care for your needs.
Wrongful termination
If your employer has terminated your contract and refuses to provide a fair reason for doing so, you may be in a position to claim against them at the industrial tribunal or in court. Wrongful termination is illegal and occurs if your employer has fired you based on discrimination or personal issues.
Unsafe working conditions
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets the standards and regulations for safe working conditions in the United States. If your employee fails to provide a safe and fair workplace and ignores your concerns, you may need to take legal action to protect yourself and your colleagues.
Gather as much evidence as you can, showcasing your unsafe working conditions and physical discomfort , which may include photographs, videos, and written documentation. You can give this evidence to your lawyer, who can present it to the industrial tribunal or courtroom if you decide to escalate the issue to a legal level.
