Best Employment Lawyers in Thornton, CO

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Thornton, Colorado?

  Contact the Thornton Police Department at ​720-977-5150 for non-emergencies.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Thornton, Colorado?

  Visit or send mail to the Records Department of the Thornton Police Department. The address is 9551 Civic Center Drive, Thornton, CO 80229. Contact the Records Department by email at TPD.Public@ThorntonCO.gov or by phone at 720-977-5140. Reports can also be obtained online at https://forms.thorntonco.gov/Police/requestforcriminaljusticeinformation.

• What can an employment lawyer do for a client in Thornton?

  An employment lawyer can help a client in Thornton by explaining their rights and legal options, and they can assist in submitting complaints, requesting enforcement actions, and filing complaints. They can also represent workers or employers in various proceedings including mediation, administrative hearings, and litigation. In addition, they handle cases such as workplace harassment, wage and hour disputes, discrimination, and retaliation.

• What can you do to recover unpaid wages from an employer in Thornton?

  To recover unpaid wages from an employer in Thornton, send a demand package to your employer using the form Demand for Payment of Wages from the Colorado DOL. If you do not receive your pay within 14 days, file a complaint to the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics using the form Labor Standards Complaint Form. Should you have any concerns about the process, call the Division at 303-318-8441. You can also send an email to cdle_labor_standards@state.co.us.

• What does a whistleblower in a Thornton workplace do?

  A whistleblower is an employee who exposes harassment incidents, unsafe practices, or unlawful activities in a Thornton workplace. Whistleblowers may release information to the government or proper authorities to hold responsible parties accountable under the law. Once whistleblower employees file a qui tam claim, they're already protected from any retaliative action from the employer. Some of the ways retaliation may happen are terminating, demoting, or transferring the whistleblower employee.

• Should an employee in Thornton disclose any medical condition to an employer?

  If the medical condition affects the employee's ability to perform usual tasks at work, then the condition may be disclosed, but generally, an employee does not need to inform the employer of a disability or illness. Bear in mind that discrimination and privacy laws may not offer protection if an employee has been found untruthful. Employees could get dismissed from their jobs or be ineligible for workers' compensation. An employment lawyer in Thornton can help the employee explore their legal options.

• How does the Colorado Restrictive Employments Agreement Act affect an employee in Thornton?

  The Colorado Restrictive Employments Agreement Act favors the interests of employees. Under the new law, the application of non-compete and non-solicit agreements is limited unless used in the context of a business sale and highly compensated employees. Employers in Thornton who do not comply will be slapped with penalties and ordered to pay affected employees plus attorney's fees and related costs.

• What does an employment attorney do?

  Employment attorneys represent workers, companies, unions, and advocacy groups. Their primary job is preventing and resolving disputes related to state and federal employment regulations as well as civil rights. They assist with the development of policies, including laws and employee handbooks, and they represent clients in court and during administrative hearings overseen by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state-level labor agencies.

• How much should I ask for in a discrimination lawsuit?

  Employment-related claims are among the most complex and time-consuming lawsuits heard in the civil court system. Before workers can file a lawsuit, they must file a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Every year, the EEOC recovers $505 million for victims of workplace discrimination. When cases proceed to court, the average settlement is approximately $40,000. However, roughly 10% of claimants receive at least $1 million.

• How do I prove discrimination in the workplace?

  Discrimination lawsuits are typically based on an established pattern of behavior in the workplace. Employment attorneys who handle these claims generally advise clients to gather evidence and document all instances of discrimination, harassment, or abuse, as they occur. The following documents are often vital for proving workplace discrimination:

  • Personnel files
  • Payroll records
  • Employee handbooks
  • Diary or journal entries
  • Medical or mental health records
  • Reports from witnesses
  • Photos or video footage
  • Physical evidence

  
  

• Can I sue my company for a hostile work environment?

  Yes, offensive or unwelcome conduct that creates a hostile work environment and affects your terms of employment may give you reason to take legal action. However, rude or abusive behavior on its own isn’t illegal. It must also be tied to other legal issues, such as retaliation for reporting harassment or discrimination directed at members of a protected group.

• What is the EEOC?

  The EEOC is the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It's a federal agency tasked with helping to enforce laws concerning discrimination in the workplace. Not all employers are covered under the EEOC. Typically, you have to work for an organization with at least 15 employees or for a labor union or agency to be covered by EEOC protections.

• How do I report an abusive boss?

  If you believe you're being discriminated against, you have several options. First, follow internal reporting procedures with human resources or other leadership. You can also file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. Talking to an employment attorney can help you understand your options and protect your interests.

• What laws protect employees from job discrimination?

  • The Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides employees with protection against discrimination based on a wide variety of factors, including national origin, sex, religion, race, and color.
  • The Age Discrimination Act of 1967 applies age to the protected class.
  • The Equal Pay Act of 1963 forbids sex-based compensation discrimination.
  • The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 makes it illegal to discriminate on the grounds of disability in terms of employment decisions.
  • The Civil Rights Act of 1991 adds more protection and power to the federal government to enforce some of these laws.

• How do I file a wrongful termination claim?

  You can file a wrongful termination claim with the EEOC online, via mail, or in person at various EEOC branch offices. You may be able to file a complaint with a state agency. To determine an appropriate plan of action and which organizations you can file with, speak to an employment lawyer.

• What is unfair treatment at work?

  Unfair treatment is not the same as unlawful treatment. There aren't laws against unfair treatment, which can include a boss who generally bullies people into action or someone who doesn't make fair decisions about time off because of nepotism or mood. Such issues may not constitute a claim for a court argument or allegation, unlike unjust judgments made on the grounds of race or age. An employment attorney can clarify if unfair treatment is also unlawful.

• What are some workers\' rights related to injury and illness?

  Employees have a variety of rights related to time off if they're injured or fall ill. For example, in workplaces covered by the Federal Medical Leave Act, workers are allowed to take up to 12 weeks off without losing their position in a company. The leave is unpaid unless PTO time can be used to cover it. Employees may also have rights to file a workers' comp claim if they're injured on the job. All of these laws cover different situations and types of employers, and an employment attorney can help you understand what rights you have.

• Can an employer force you to work?

  This is a gray area in some cases, which is why it may be a good idea to consult an employment lawyer if you have concerns about your workplace. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration , workers have a right to refuse to work in dangerous situations. But the burden of proof that this is, in fact, the case, can weigh heavily on the employee.