Chattanooga Employer Retaliation Lawyer

When employers retaliate against employees who voice their concerns over pay, missing wages, or other forms of discontent, that employer is breaking the law. If you have suffered wrongful termination or have been discriminated against because of similar reasons, you need to contact an experienced attorney.

A Chattanooga employer retaliation lawyer could assess your claim and help you hold a malicious employer accountable for its actions.

Employer Retaliation in Chattanooga Explained

Employer retaliation could apply to many different areas of employment and termination. Generally, employers have the right to terminate an employee for whatever reason they see fit because Tennessee is an “at-will” employment state. However, there are exceptions to that, and that is where retaliation cases to come in.

While difficult to enumerate the many specific cases of employer retaliation, the most common types of retaliation cases involve:

• Workers’ compensation cases
• Whistleblowing
• Civil rights violations
• Reporting missed wages

Because of the sheer volume of possible retaliation situations, it is important for victims to contact an employer retaliation lawyer in Chattanooga who could help them assess a claim.

How Wage Theft Might Lead to an Employer Retaliation Case

An employer may wrongfully choose to retaliate against employees for reporting or complaining of not being paid minimum wage or overtime. However, if employees did go to the employer and file a report that stated they feel like they are being underpaid or not paid their overtime, then they would be protected from being fired on that basis. If they were fired following such a report, they should contact an attorney because they might have a wrongful termination or retaliation case.

Commonly Susceptible Workers to Employer Retaliation

The types or classes of employees that might be more susceptible to retaliation than others are those in the service industry or in the construction industry. These employees are more likely to be entitled to overtime pay and are more likely to not receive overtime in an illegal manner. Additionally, these employees would be more subject to retaliation for reporting overtime violations. Because of this, it is critical for employees who feel that they are victims of employer retaliation to contact an experienced Chattanooga attorney familiar with these types of cases.

Does Chattanooga Law Protect Employers After Retaliating Against Employees?

Under Chattanooga business and employment law, it is illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee for reporting or complaining about unpaid overtime or unpaid minimum wage. If an employee feels like they are not being paid minimum wage or were not being paid overtime, they have the right to contact an attorney. A Chattanooga attorney would be helpful in walking them through the process. Beyond that, the employee should look at their employee handbook and follow to the letter all of the steps for reporting something like this. Frequently, there will be a specific person in the human resources department that an employee should converse with. Sometimes, employers will have a hotline for situations like these. If that does not work, employees should continue to report grievances to those in charge. If that does not work, employees need to talk to the EEOC or the Department of Labor.

An Employees Options When Addressing Employer Retaliation

If an employee feels like they are facing retaliation from an employer, the person should immediately contact a Chattanooga employment attorney to help navigate the process of filing a claim. How victims handle their case is exceptionally important in protecting their rights. If victims are confused as to what they could immediately do, an employee handbook will likely have specific requirements for what a person is supposed to do if they feel like they are being retaliated or discriminated against.

It is best if an employee follows what is in there to the letter, so that means calling the numbers that are listed in the handbook and exhausting all possible internal resources. If all else fails, a person could contact outside agencies that are responsible for enforcing employment laws such as the EEOC or the Department of Labor and potentially file a lawsuit.

Is it generally advisable for an employee to attempt to remediate retaliation on their own?

An employee has the right to attempt to address retaliation on their own. However, it is really important under the law that they take all the necessary steps and that they act within certain time periods. An employee should consult with an employment attorney as soon as possible in those situations so they can make sure they navigate that process as best as they can.

When to Contact a Chattanooga Employer Retaliation Attorney

If an employee suspects they were retaliated against, they should retain the services of a Chattanooga business and employment lawyer as soon as possible. An employment attorney could help victims navigate the process of what steps need to be taken to protect themselves if they fear they are being retaliated against. After retaliation, if employees do lose their jobs, then they might have further rights and legal recourse against the wrongdoer.

Possible Recovery After Wrongful Employer Retaliation in Chattanooga

A positive result from a workplace retaliation case could entail compensation for damages. In a retaliation case, depending on the type of case, victims could have a claim to recover their lost wages as well as money for emotional distress, humiliation, and embarrassment. Sometimes, under different types of laws, victims are entitled to liquidated damages in specified amounts. In rare cases, victims could be entitled to punitive damages to punish the company, and if they are successful, the attorney’s fee could be paid for by the company.

Let an Attorney Know if You Have Suffered Employer Retaliation

If you feel as though you have been discriminated against or wrongfully terminated by an employer, you may need to contact a Chattanooga employer retaliation lawyer. A seasoned attorney could asses your case and determine if you could file for damages and hold a negligent employer accountable for its actions.