employer disputes | Online Lawyer Network

Houston, TX – There are a number of reasons why coworkers might have disagreements or arguments throughout the course of a workday. While some level of conflict is normal, there are specific issues that may rise to the level of legally actionable sexual harassment. Being able to identify problems that are sexual harassment is an important step in the process to report the behavior and make it stop. If the workplace does not seem to be cooperative and the problems continue, the victim may need to retain their own labor lawyer and take formal action through a lawsuit.

Most common forms of workplace harassment

Things like asking for sexual favors in return for employment or promotions, constantly telling sexual or offensive jokes, or creating a hostile work environment that affects a worker’s ability to function are the most clear cut forms of harassment. Work environment problems are especially serious if someone is trying to sabotage a coworkers ability to be productive or give false or negative performance reviews as a pretext for harassment. These problems are almost always related to a worker’s gender or sex in some capacity. However, the victim’s gender does not matter, as anyone can be a victim of sexual harassment.

Work related communications and harassment

With most workers utilizing technology throughout their workday, things like phones and computers can also become a tool for harassment. This can include displaying offensive images and videos, or even sending harassing text messages which can rise to the level of stalking. Things like using workplace communications to facilitate romantic relationships is forbidden in most workplaces.

Investigating improper behavior

If a worker has a one time argument or makes an offensive comment, it is not likely that this would be considered harassment. Most investigations into sexual harassment consider the severity of the conduct in question. While trying to force sexual favors as a condition of continued employment is clearly sexual harassment, a dispute between coworkers that may have involved offensive language will probably not be treated as sexual harassment by any legal standard. It is difficult to give broad answers to whether any particular situation would be considered harassment by an employment commission or in a court of law, as these determinations tend to happen on a case by case basis. Anyone who is concerned should start by reporting improper behavior to their company’s human resources department immediately.

Assistance from employment law firms

Moore and Associates is a firm that handles all kinds of workplace problems, including those related to harassment, discrimination, and unpaid wages. Anyone who is dealing with serious workplace issues can contact one of the firm’s attorneys and decide on a course of action during an initial consultation.

Firm contact info:

Moore & Associates

440 Louisiana Street, Suite 675, Houston, TX 77002

713-222-6775

www.mooreandassociates.net

Houston, TX – Many workers will experience some kind of improper pay or wage theft throughout the course of their career. Because this has become such a common problem, many pieces of legislation have been passed and various efforts have been made to educate employers and prevent them from exploiting their workers through improper pay.

How wage theft happens

Some wage theft is an honest mistake that occurs due to improper deductions, administrative errors, or payroll system problems. In these cases, the worker can normally bring the issue to their employer’s attention and have it resolved. In other situations, the employer may be deliberately trying to steal from workers in order to save money. This is often more difficult to detect, as the employer is depending on things such as underpaying workers, having them do unpaid work, or misclassifying them as part of their business model. Outside intervention may be necessary if the employer is unwilling to cooperate with workers who report missing wages.

Wage theft prevention measures

When the Fair Labor Standards Act took effect, it detailed procedures for following minimum wage laws, overtime, and other related matters that directly affect a worker’s pay. Another later law called the Wage Theft Prevention Act criminalized certain behaviors when an employer purposely withholds proper pay from workers. The law also requires employees who have had their wages stolen to receive restitution and their employer will face financial penalties. Together, these federal laws and others give workers a course of action to follow when they deal with wage theft issues. There are also various state and federal employment boards and commissions that investigate employers after a complaint about issues such as illegal wage withholding and discrimination.

The federal Department of Labor is also given authority by the FLSA and other laws to enforce its provisions against workplaces that violate various labor standards.

Lawsuits against employers

If a worker does not receive help from their employer with these kinds of issues, attorneys who practice in the field of labor law can bring a civil case against the company responsible. Like in many other civil lawsuits, the defendant can be responsible for paying damages to the victim. In the case of wage issues, the remedy is usually all of the worker’s missing back pay, plus interest on outstanding wages.

Attorneys who handle unpaid wage claims and related issues

Moore and Associates is a firm that handles employment law cases in the state of Texas. Anyone who is dealing with unpaid wages, wage theft, discrimination, or sexual harassment can get in touch with the firm to explore their options and learn about filing a lawsuit.

Firm contact info:

Moore & Associates

440 Louisiana Street, Suite 675, Houston, TX 77002

713-222-6775

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