Raleigh Employment and Discrimination Lawyers
Employment and Discrimination Lawyers Serving North Carolina
Most workers will face violations of their employment rights at some point in their careers, including wrongful termination, unpaid wages (wage theft), wage and hour claims, sexual harassment, racial discrimination, and disability discrimination. Our experienced Raleigh discrimination lawyers can help.
Our compassionate team helps clients with the stress losing a job or income. We provide support, care, and concern in the aftermath of tragedies.
As former insurance defense attorneys, we know how to fight for every penny you deserve.
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Our Raleigh Employment and Discrimination Results:
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In 2021, we represented a client in an employment and wage and hour dispute with his current employer, and our team of Raleigh employment attorneys won a $178,125 judgment on his behalf based on violation of the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act. Our client was a hard-working and devoted employee when suddenly his employer stopped paying his salary. Shortly after after filing a lawsuit, our Raleigh employment lawyers won summary judgment, which awarded our client the full amount of his back wages ($87,500.10) as well as an additional $87,500.10 in liquidated damages plus pre-judgment interest and post-judgment interest. Read more here.
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In 2020, we represented a client in an employment and wrongful termination dispute with his former employer, and our Raleigh team of employment attorneys negotiated a $121,000 severance package for our client even though he was fired “for cause.” Our employment lawyers brought claims based on wrongful termination, discrimination, and violation of the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act. We settled this employment dispute without having to file a lawsuit. Read more here.
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In 2020, we represented clients in an employment and wage and hour dispute with their former employer, and our team of Raleigh employment attorneys negotiated a $84,000 settlement for the employer’s failure to pay severance benefits on time. Our employment attorneys brought claims based on violation of the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act and settled the dispute shortly after filing a lawsuit. Read more here.
Raleigh Employment Discrimination Claims
Employment discrimination claims in North Carolina involve allegations that an employee has been treated unfairly or differently on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. These claims may be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which is federal agency responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws in the workplace.
To file a discrimination claim in North Carolina, an employee must first file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC or the NCHRC. This involves filling out a form and providing information about the alleged discrimination, including the nature of the discrimination, the dates it occurred, and the names of the individuals involved.
After an employee files a charge of discrimination, the EEOC will investigate the claim to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support the claim. If the agency finds that there is sufficient evidence, it will attempt to resolve the matter through mediation or settlement negotiations. If these efforts are unsuccessful, the agency may file a lawsuit on behalf of the employee or provide the employee with a right-to-sue letter, allowing them to file a lawsuit on their own.
If an employee decides to file a lawsuit, they must do so within a certain time frame. The employee may be represented by an attorney or may choose to represent themselves in court.
During the lawsuit, the employee will need to prove that they were subjected to discrimination on the basis of their protected characteristic. This may involve presenting evidence such as witness testimony, documentation, or expert testimony. If the employee is successful in their lawsuit, they may be entitled to damages such as back pay, front pay, and compensatory damages for emotional distress.
Types of Suspected Discrimination in Raleigh, NC
Discrimination at work can happen anytime and can affect your job, housing, and livelihood. It can occur as an employee, an applicant, a trainee, or as a former employee. Some of the most common types of discrimination our Raleigh discrimination lawyers help with are:
Race/color discrimination:
One of the most common forms of employment discrimination in North Carolina is race discrimination. This occurs when an employee is treated unfairly because of their race or ethnicity. For example, an employee may be passed over for a promotion or fired because of their race, or they may be subjected to racial slurs or other discriminatory behavior.
Ethnicity/national origin discrimination:
This occurs when employees are treated unfairly because of their country of origin or ethnicity. This can include being passed over for promotions or being fired because of their national origin, or being subjected to discriminatory comments or jokes.
Genetic discrimination:
Genetic information discrimination is a relatively new form of employment discrimination in North Carolina, but it is becoming increasingly common. This occurs when an employee is treated unfairly because of their genetic makeup or inherited characteristics. For example, an employee may be fired because of a genetic predisposition to a certain medical condition, or they may be denied opportunities because of their genetic makeup.
Sex/gender discrimination:
This occurs when an employee is treated unfairly because of their gender or sex. For example, an employee may be paid less than their colleagues because of their gender, or they may be denied opportunities because of their sex.
LGBT discrimination:
This occurs when an employee is treated unfairly because of their sexual orientation. For example, an employee may be paid less than their colleagues because of their gender, or they may be denied opportunities because of their sexual orientation or perceived orientation.
Pregnancy discrimination:
This occurs when an employee is treated unfairly because they are pregnant. For example, an employee may be paid less than their colleagues, are denied opportunities, or have their employment terminated because of they are pregnant.
Religious discrimination:
This occurs when an employee is treated unfairly because of their religious affiliation. For example, an employee may be paid less than their colleagues, are denied opportunities, or have their employment terminated because of their religious affiliation.
Age discrimination:
Age discrimination is also prevalent in North Carolina, particularly among older workers who may face discrimination due to their age. This can include being passed over for promotions or being fired because of their age, or being subjected to ageist comments or jokes.
Disabilities discrimination:
This occurs when an employee is treated unfairly because of their disability. For example, an employee may be denied reasonable accommodations that would allow them to perform their job duties, or they may be fired because of their disability.
Wage and Hour (Wage Theft) Claims in Raleigh, NC
Wage and hour claims are a common type of legal dispute in North Carolina, as they involve the payment of wages and benefits to employees in accordance with state and federal laws. These claims can arise from a variety of issues, including unpaid overtime, failure to pay minimum wage, misclassification of employees as independent contractors, and failure to provide breaks and meal periods.
One common issue that can lead to wage and hour claims in North Carolina is the failure to pay overtime. Under state law, employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek are entitled to overtime pay at a rate of 1.5 times their regular rate of pay. This requirement applies to all employees, with the exception of certain exempt employees, such as executive, administrative, and professional employees. Employers who fail to pay their employees overtime may be required to pay back wages, as well as civil penalties and attorneys' fees.
In addition to these requirements, North Carolina law also requires employers to provide their employees with breaks and meal periods. Specifically, employees who work shifts of more than six hours are entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal break, and employees who work shifts of more than eight hours are entitled to two 15-minute paid breaks. Employers who fail to provide these breaks or meal periods may be required to pay their employees for the time they would have otherwise been entitled to rest.
Wage and hour claims can be complex and can involve a significant amount of evidence and legal arguments. As such, it is often advisable for employees to seek the assistance of an experienced employment law attorney when pursuing these claims. An attorney can help employees to understand their rights and options, and can represent them in negotiations or litigation as needed.
The Best Raleigh Discrimination Lawyers Will:
Evaluate the incident or issue
Explain your options
Guide you through the process
Negotiate with the government agency and/or employer
File a lawsuit if necessary
Above all else, fight for you
Why Are Wage Theft Claims So Common in Raleigh, NC?
1. Some employers don’t understand their obligations to pay employees on time, every time
2. Frequently employers believe that bonuses and commissions don’t have to be paid if the employee is fired first
3. When companies are suffering financially, some employers think pausing or delaying payroll payments to employees is an option
4. Some employers, though it’s rare, think overworking employees and underpaying them (and sometimes outright stealing from them) is just good business practices
Common Employment Disputes in Raleigh, NC
Discrimination and issues at work can happen anytime, can affect most parts of your life, and can involve anyone. Some of the most common types of employment disputes our discrimination attorneys in Raleigh help with are:
Wrongful termination
Noncompete agreements
Severance agreements
Failure to pay overtime
Failure to pay long-term disability benefits
EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) claims
NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) claims
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) claims
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) claims
Damages You Can Recover for Discrimination and Wage and Hour Claims in Raleigh, NC
The damages you suffered because of discrimination or violation of your employment rights may entitle you to monetary payments and compensation. Some of the most common types of damages recovered in the cases handled by our employment attorneys in Raleigh are:
Back Pay
Front Pay
Reinstatement
Retroactive seniority
Liquidated damages
Out-of-pocket expenses
Emotional harm
Attorney’s fees
Punitive damages
How Do I Find the Best Raleigh Discrimination Lawyer for My Case?
Like every profession, discrimination lawyers vary in experience, skills, style, dedication, and levels of customer service so “best” can mean different things to different people. It’s a good idea to see if the employment lawyers you are considering have positive client testimonials, good (and recent) case results, and are passionate about helping others. It depends on whether you want to hire a law firm that works with thousands of clients every year or a smaller firm that only focuses on a limited number of cases. The relationship between lawyer and client requires a significant amount of trust and communication over an extended period of time, so the most important factor is choosing a lawyer that “feels right” to you.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Raleigh Our Employment and Wage and Hour Lawyers Near You
If you were the victim of discrimination or an employer not paying you your wages or bonuses (wage and hour claim) , contact our experienced employers lawyers in Raleigh, North Carolina for a free consultation. We can help you and your family recover compensation for lost wages and other damages. Even if the employer blames you or says you were terminated for cause, our attorneys have experience in these cases to help ensure that you recover the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve for your damages.
Raleigh Employment lawyer prices
For transparent, upfront pricing on what our Raleigh employment attorneys charge to represent you in an employment or discrimination claim, please click below.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For more free information about employment and discrimination claims in Raleigh, please click below for our free in-depth FAQs that explain many of those topics.