Posted in Wisconsin Workers Compensation Related News
Employment Lawyer
It may have started as one “small” comment that your supervisor said at an employee meeting that you felt was inappropriate. Or maybe your peers have conversations in the workplace that make you feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. Perhaps your supervisor gives you the projects that you know your coworkers do not want or they have continuously declined to promote you despite the fact that you are the most experienced and senior candidate for the position. It could
be that your boss found out you practice a certain religion and now you aren’t receiving the same opportunities that you were previously.
If any of these scenarios are familiar to you, then you might be experiencing discrimination. Speaking with an employment lawyer from a firm like the Law Group of Iowa today can help you understand whether you should take action.
If Iowa is an at-will state, does that mean my employer can fire me for any reason?
Iowa is an at-will state, which generally means that your employer can decide to terminate your employment at any time for almost any reason. This means that your employer could decide to fire you because they disagree with how you perform your work or how you dress. However, despite having a lot of latitude state and federal laws are in place to protect you from discrimination and retaliation. They also ensure you can exercise your rights such as serving on a jury.
How do I know if discrimination led to my termination?
Proving discrimination can be tricky. You will need to demonstrate to a judge or jury that your employer fired you because of your race, gender, disability, sexual preference, religion, age, or ethnicity. A lawyer will sit down with you to speak with you and determine whether you have a case. If you have a case worth pursuing, they will know what evidence to gather and how to request information from your employer to support your case. A lawyer will interview witnesses at work and will know what expert witnesses to call to testify on your behalf. Finally, they can help you determine how much compensation you should seek for the damages you have suffered.
Can my employer fire me for whistleblowing?
It is illegal for your employer to fire you for reporting unsafe practices, discrimination, harassment, etc. Long ago, legislators recognized that employers had a lot of leverage, and could make it nearly impossible for employees to report unsafe work sites, unfair treatment, etc. for fear of being fired. Laws are in place to protect you from termination for disclosing this information. In these cases, your employer may try to attack your character or accuse you of unsatisfactory work as an excuse for letting you go. They may even provide you with a severance package as a way of buying your silence. You don’t have to accept any of these conditions.
