How Do You Prove Race Discrimination?
While the hope is that our society will eventually advance beyond all forms of prejudicial treatment, the truth is that discrimination is alive and well. Racial discrimination remains a significant problem, especially in the workplace. Unfortunately, people are still being denied employment, job…
Is it Sexual Harassment to Ask Out a Coworker?
Like so many legal answers, the real answer to this question is, “it depends.” As a general rule, no. Is it Sexual Harassment to Ask Out a Coworker? You can ask out just about anyone you want, assuming your company does not have anti-fraternization policies. We will set aside the issue of whether it is inappropriate or perhaps a bit unprofessional to ask out coworkers, you are legally permitted to ask coworkers out under most circumstances. Of course, many employers have strict policies that prohibit it, and for good reason. When relationships develop at work, it can negatively affect productivity, and when relationships fall apart, it can create an uncomfortable working environment for everyone.
2017’s Five Biggest Tech Company Sexual Harassment Scandals
Far too many women experience sexual harassment and discrimination in the workforce. When it happens to you, it can be dizzying and confusing. There are so many questions that need to be answered. Worse yet, there are strict limits on how long you can think through what is happening to you before getting help.
The Sad Truth about Ageism in America
In the Native American culture, the elderly are known as wisdom keepers. In Japanese culture, they value and are dutiful to the older generation. Yet, in America, senior citizens are essentially invisible at best and the target of discrimination at worst. They are an overlooked population when it…
Atlanta GA Sexual Harassment Attorney: Feeling Safe in the Workplace
People working full time spend approximately 20% of their week in the workplace. As a result, a number of hours you spend in the workplace are with co-workers. Unfortunately, sexual harassment can be seen in workplaces all over the country. Meaning, that despite efforts to end sexual harassment, …
Getting the Pay You Deserve
Everyone knows about overtime. If you work more than 40 hours, you get overtime, right? Not necessarily. There are a lot of exceptions to overtime rules. In general, however, federal law offers some solid protections. Here is a brief look at the ways federal labor laws protect your wages.
Current Trends in Employment Laws
A Board Certified Employment Lawyer Specialist’s Viewpoint:
When I first started practicing employment law over 20 years ago, the economy was in the dot com boom and employment law likewise flourished as employers needed employment contracts drafted and employees needed contracts reviewed.
When…
Basics of Workplace Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment allegations can be a very complex issue, causing many employees and employers alike to search for the best harassment lawyer Atlanta GA has to offer. However, it’s not always clear what sexual harassment comprises in the workplace. At Barrett & Farahany, LLP, as we strive to be …
Five Common Sexual Harassment Myths Busted
2017 ushered in what some are calling a new era of gender inequality awareness. With numerous celebrity sex scandals and stories of abuse and harassment of all types, social media and the mainstream news are full of stories about people in positions of power abusing their authority.
Barrett & Farahany and Georgia State University Begin Ground-Breaking Legal Analytics Project
In 2013, Barrett & Farahany, LLP commissioned a study to determine the outcomes of cases at a motion for summary judgment. The results were shocking: over eighty percent of cases were dismissed at summary judgment by the federal district court in Atlanta. A further study revealed that Atlanta’s f…
Sexual Harassment of Models in the Workplace
Modeling seems to be a career for a lucky few – endless free clothes, jet setting around the world with celebrities, being pampered by hair and makeup teams. The reality, however, is that it’s a grueling, fast-paced industry where sexual harassment and predation run rampant. Models don’t work in …
Sexual Harassment Horrors of Wall Street
Wall Street is still rife with sexism and sexual harassment. The stories told by some female veterans of the industry seem almost shockingly unbelievable – and, sadly, the culture is so ingrained that victims of sexual harassment feel it’s their duty to deal with it, or just keep quiet so they do…
What to Do if You Witness Sexual Harassment at Work
Sexual harassment in the workplace is very serious and victims can experience significant emotional and physical harm as a result. If you have experienced unwanted sexual advances in your workplace, contact a sexual harassment attorney in Atlanta GA from Barrett & Farahany, LLP. In addition to se…
How to Protect Your Rights
What types of employee protection statues exist?
There are a significant number of employee protection statutes including, but not limited to:
Sexual harassment
Hostile work environment
Gender discrimination
Racial discrimination
National origin discrimination
Color discrimination …
Who is Protected from Workplace Retaliation?
Illegal workplace retaliation is a situation in which an employer takes “adverse action” against an employee because the employee exercised a protected legal right. There are a number of federal and state laws that protect employees from employer retaliation.
Some examples of protected rights are…
Checklist for What to Do After Losing Your Job
Many people today are faced with the prospect of losing or have just lost their job. Barrett & Farahany, LLP provides you with a Checklist on what to do both before and after losing your job to protect yourself for work, financial and your legal rights. See also our Resource Guide that provides …
Am I an Independent Contractor?
Independent Contractor or Employee? Ask the IRS
L.M. SIXEL, Staff
The boss says you’re an independent contractor. You think you’re an employee. What do you do?
You can ask the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to decide.
Workers can fill out a “determination of worker status” form, known as an S…
Questions About Terminations In Georgia
What are valid reasons for an employer to fire an older worker?
Under the ADEA, there has to be a valid reason — not related to age — for all employment decisions. Examples of valid reasons would be poor job performance by the employee or an employer’s economic trouble. In the case of layoffs, a…
Am I Entitled to Overtime?
The Fair Labor Standards Act entitles every employee to time and a half for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. All of us know this is true when dealing with an hourly pay structure, but did you know that you are also eligible if you are paid a salary?
Salaried employees are eligible for overtim…
How Do I Know If I’ve Been Wrongfully Terminated?
The following information from a Barrett & Farahany, LLP wrongful discharge lawyer Atlanta GA can help you begin to analyze whether you may have a legal claim against your employer for wrongful termination. Although “wrongful termination” is a term that’s widely used in the public these days, man…
What You Need to Know About Overtime and FLSA Law
People like to believe that they can trust their employers. Many times, however, employers can use their employees’ lack of knowledge about FLSA law to make them work longer hours without their legally allotted increases in compensation. In order to ensure that you’re not being victimized by you…
Ten Common Ways Employers Illegally Deny Employees Overtime
Employers Do Not Pay Salaried Employees Overtime Most employees believe that if they are salaried, they are not entitled to overtime. This is simply not true. Whether an employee is entitled to overtime is based on the job duties the employee performs — not how the employee is paid.
Emp…
Fair Labor Standards Act
In an age of global economic change and dramatic alteration of the American work force, the Fair Labor Standards Act still stands as the preeminent tool for enforcing and protecting the rights and wages of employees. The Fair Labor Standards Act is a federal law that requires employers to keep ac…
What Are the Legal Responsibilities of Your Human Resources Department?
In many companies, the Human Resources (HR) department may not garner much respect. Perceptions about HR may include feelings that HR is...