Best Employment Lawyers in Rio Rancho, NM

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Rio Rancho, New Mexico?

  For non-emergency situations, you may contact the Rio Rancho Police Department at 505-891-7226.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Rio Rancho, New Mexico?

  You may obtain a copy of the police report for employment law-related cases by sending an email to the Police Department Records Unit at rrpdrecords@rrnm.gov.

• Can you be fired for no reason in Rio Rancho?

  Yes. Since New Mexico is an employment-at-will state, employees in Rio Rancho who did not sign a written employment contract can be terminated from their employment for any reason or no reason at all and at any time. However, the reason should not be discriminatory, or else the employer may get sued for wrongful termination.

• Can you sue your employer for wrongful termination in Rio Rancho?

  Yes. You can file a wrongful termination claim against your employer in Rio Rancho if you were fired for discriminatory reasons, in retaliation for exercising your legal rights, or in violation of an employment contract. Under federal law, it is illegal for employers to fire an employee based on protected characteristics, such as age, citizenship status, color, pregnancy, race, and religion.

• Are employers in Rio Rancho required to provide paid sick leave to their employees?

  Yes. Employers in Rio Rancho are required to provide paid sick leave to eligible employees under the Healthy Workplaces Act. The HWA applies to private employers with at least one employee working in New Mexico, including part-time, temporary, and seasonal employees. The eligibility of remote workers is determined on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as the location of the employer's business and where the work is performed.

• Are employers in Rio Rancho required to provide lunch breaks or meal periods to employees?

  No, employers in Rio Rancho are not legally obligated to offer lunch breaks or meal periods for their employees. However, if an employer chooses to provide breaks that are less than 30 minutes in duration, they are not allowed to make deductions from the employees' wages for the time taken during those breaks.

• Can an employer in Rio Rancho require employees to work overtime?

  Yes, employers in Rio Rancho can require employees to work overtime if they are paid on an hourly basis. However, in such cases, the employer is legally obligated to pay the employee an overtime rate of one and a half times their regular pay rate for any hours worked beyond 40 in a consecutive seven-day period.

• 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.