Best Employment Lawyers in Peoria, IL

FAQs

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

  309-673-4521 is the contact number for non-emergency calls of the Peoria Police Department.

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

  To receive a copy of a Peoria incident or accident report, you must visit the Records Unit of the Peoria Police Department at 600 SW Adams Street, Peoria, IL 61602. The Records Unit is open every Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• What employee categories are legally protected in Peoria?

  Peoria law protects employees from discrimination based on their race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, veteran or active duty status, or disability. It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee on the basis of the employee's membership in a protected class in terms of hiring, promotion, or compensation.

• What types of workplace harassment are prevalent in Peoria?

  In a Peoria workplace, harassment may take many different forms, including: -sexual violence; -hostile workplace culture with profanity, pornographic or provocative jokes, and emails or other communications with a sexual nature; and -quid pro quo, which occurs when a boss or other powerful coworker proposes plenty of sexual favors in exchange for a salary raise, a promotion, or other benefits at work.

• How can an employment lawyer in Peoria assist employees with their contracts?

  A lawyer specializing in employment law in Peoria can advise clients on how to enforce, nullify, or defend against a contract. They provide evaluations, drafts, and revisions of contracts. If a dispute over a contract ends up in court, they can also offer advice on how to best represent their clients' interests.

• Can a Peoria employer give workers compensatory time off rather than paying them overtime?

  No, unless the workers are exempt from the overtime requirements of the law, a business in Peoria cannot replace overtime pay with compensatory time to temporarily leave work. It should be noted that in some counties, using compensatory time by administrative, executive, or professional employees may jeopardize their exempt status.

• What kinds of deductions from a paycheck can an employer in Peoria make?

  Employers in Peoria may only deduct wages that are required by law, such as payroll taxes or court-ordered garnishments. Employees may, however, expressly authorize further deductions for their benefit in writing. Even if an employee has no deductions, employers must provide itemized pay statements to each employee at the time of wage payment.

• 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.