In the bustling, fast-paced world of employment, conflicts can arise that put workers in challenging situations. One such conflict is workplace retaliation, a term you might have heard but may not fully understand. Workplace retaliation occurs when an employer punishes an employee for engaging in legally protected activity. This punishment can manifest in various forms, including termination, demotion, salary reduction, or any other adverse employment action. The “legally protected activity” can range from filing a complaint about discrimination or harassment[…] Read More
Category: Retaliation or Discrimination
How Can I Prove Race Discrimination in the Workplace?
Race discrimination is an ever-present reality for many workers, and understanding what it looks like and how it is proven is essential to protecting your rights as an employee. Race discrimination occurs when someone is treated differently or unfairly because of their race or ethnicity. It can be direct or indirect. Examples of direct race discrimination include being passed over for promotions because of one’s race or being subjected to offensive comments or jokes based on one’s race. Indirect race[…] Read More
How Is Retaliation Proven?
Retaliation in the workplace occurs when an employer takes adverse action against an employee because they participated in a protected activity. An example of a protected activity is whistleblowing an illegal action at work. Retaliation can negatively impact a person’s life and career and can be difficult to prove without a skilled employment lawyer. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), retaliation is one of the most commonly reported issue in the workplace, particularly amongst employees in the[…] Read More
What Is a Qui Tam Lawsuit?
A qui tam lawsuit allows individuals to sue on behalf of the United States to recover money that was fraudulently obtained by a person or corporation. Under the federal False Claims Act, liability is put on the people and companies who defraud the government. Individuals who file qui tam complaints are referred to as “whistleblowers.” Qui tam lawsuits are filed “under seal,” which means they are kept confidential so only the government is aware of the claim. The person or entity[…] Read More
What Should I Do if My Employer Is Not Paying Me Minimum Wage?
The minimum wage in New Jersey is currently $13 per hour and will increase to $14.13 on Jan. 1, 2023. By law, employers are required to pay non-salaried employees at least minimum wage for certain job positions, and you have legal rights to receive minimum wage and to be paid for all time worked. Employers cannot skirt the law by demanding employees to work during unpaid times, such as breaks or lunch, adjust pay rates based on performance, or consider[…] Read More