Best Employment Lawyers in St. Petersburg, FL

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in St. Petersburg, Florida?

  You can call 727-893-7780, the non-emergency number for the City St. Petersburg Police Department.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in St. Petersburg, Florida?

  You can obtain a copy of a police report through the Records Counter located in the main lobby of the police department at 1301 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33705. You can also call 893-7537 for assistance.

• When can you sue your employer in St. Petersburg?

  You can sue your employer in St. Petersburg if your employer retaliated, harassed, or discriminated against you based on your gender, religion, disability, national origin, and age. A worker who is not paid wages can file a claim in civil court, according to Florida law. If you win your case and recover wages in court, you may also recover attorney's fees and other legal costs.

• Can you be fired without warning in St. Petersburg?

  You can be terminated without warning in St. Petersburg. This is because Florida is an at-will employment state. You or your employer can terminate your employment relationship with or without prior notice. However, you cannot be terminated for illegal or discriminatory reasons. Florida laws prohibit termination based on protected characteristics like race, disability, gender, and age.

• How long will an employer in St. Petersburg have to pay you after termination?

  In Florida, an employer must pay a terminated employee's outstanding wages by the next regular payday after termination. Employers who offer optional group health coverage for 20 or more workers have to allow employees to maintain the coverage for up to 18 months after the termination in St. Petersburg. If the employee has company property, the employer will ask the employee to go to the office to get their paycheck and return the company property.

• Can an employer cut your pay in St. Petersburg?

  Since Florida is an at-will employment state, your employer may cut your pay with or without notice. Although employers cannot reduce earned wages, they can cut your wages for future hours worked in St. Petersburg. If a contract or agreement states otherwise, you may have a legal claim against your employer.

• Can you quit your job in St. Petersburg without two weeks' notice?

  If you are an at-will employee in St. Petersburg, you can quit your job with or without two weeks' notice. Unless you have a contract or union agreement requiring you to do so, you can end the employment relationship at any time. However, providing advance notice before you quit your job can give your employer some time to look for a replacement and transfer your responsibilities to your co-worker.

• 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.