Washington DC Labor Law Attorney

Labor laws are put in place to protect the basic rights of employees at work. If you believe one of your basic rights has been violated, reach out to a labor lawyer in Washington DC to file a claim.

The federal government and state governments nationwide enforce employment laws and labor laws to protect employees from discrimination and give them basic rights regarding their wages, their time off, and their safety and health while at work. When these policies are broken by employers, there’s a system in place to ensure employers are held accountable for their actions.

If you’ve been wronged by your employer, whether through unpaid wages, unsafe working conditions, lack of time away from work, or something else, it’s important to report these claims to the appropriate agencies. That way, your employer will know how to amend the issue.

At Snider & Associates, LLC, a Washington DC labor law attorney can guide you through the claims process and make it seem less complex. We’ll ensure your claim gets filed, and if you choose, you can file a legal lawsuit once you’ve put a formal complaint into the system. Our hope is that you can walk away from the incident with clarity and feel more comfortable returning to work in the future.

Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)

A new paid family leave act is coming to the Washington DC area beginning in 2020. This paid family leave will provide up to eight weeks of parental leave for childbirth, six weeks of family leave for family member illness, and two weeks of leave for personal illness. In order to pay for this paid leave, taxes will be used from Washington DC residents.

This is a generous policy compared to states nationwide. Most FMLA policies provide up to six weeks of family leave, but it’s almost always unpaid.

Occupational Safety and Health

All private sector employees in the Washington DC area are investigated by the office of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). Public sector employees are investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Both of these organizations establish health and safety standards for the workplace to ensure employees remain healthy and free from harm.

While most labor law violations are reported in one place, safety and health concerns are a separate issue and should be reported directly to OSHA.

Hours and Wages

The minimum wage in Washington DC is $13.25, which is well above the national average of $7.25. On July 1, 2019, the minimum wage will increase to $14.00, and by July 1, 2020, it will increase to $15.00. While this is great for employees in the DC area, it could cause some employers to accidentally violate the minimum wage law because of the constant changes.

Overtime laws in Washington DC are similar to those in other U.S. cities and states in that an employer must pay employees one-and-one-half times the employee’s salary for any hours worked over forty hours per week. This is the same overtime law covered by federal law.

Another common labor law violation when it comes to hours and wages comes in the form of misclassification. Sometimes, employers will consider their employees to be independent contractors or part-time employees as a way to pay them less or avoid paying their employees full-time benefits. This is a labor law violation that should always be addressed.

Report a Labor Law Violation

If you have a labor law violation that’s unrelated to health or safety, you can file a complaint through Washington DC’s Office of Wage Hour Compliance or the federal Wage and Hour Division (WHD). These agencies work together to cross-file your claim, so no matter where you file, your claim will be recognized in both places.

The agency will investigate your incident and determine whether your employer has violated the labor law in question. If they come to the conclusion that your employer is in the wrong, they may award you back pay and other compensatory damages. They may also file a lawsuit on your behalf, or, if you choose, you can file a private lawsuit against your employer.

Reach Out to a Washington DC Labor Lawyer

Speaking with an employment attorney and getting legal advice about your specific incident can ensure you’re taking the proper steps when moving forward with your DC case. At Snider & Associates, LLC, our experienced attorneys have a deep understanding of labor laws both federally and in the DC area. We can help you file a formal complaint, and, if you choose, we can take your case to trial as well.

If you want to discuss your case with a Washington DC labor law attorney, you can reach out to us by filling out the contact form below or by calling 410-653-9060.