Best Employment Lawyers in Hillsboro, OR

FAQs

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

  Dial (503) 629-0111 for non-emergency police dispatch in Hillsboro.

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

  To get a copy of a police report, submit a completed Public Records Request Form in person to the Hillsboro Police Department located at 250 SE 10th Ave., Hillsboro, OR 97123. The department is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. You can also mail the completed form to the same address. For report inquiries, call (503) 681-6175. The first 15 pages (double-sided) of police reports cost $12, and $0.3 for each succeeding page.

  Public Records Request Form: https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/736/637846912883570000.

• How do you know you have a valid wage and hour claim in Hillsboro?

  There are several ways an employer may have violated wage and hour regulations. If you experienced any of the conduct below from your employer, you should consult an employment lawyer in Hillsboro.

  • Asking you to work unpaid off the clock
  • Not providing meal breaks
  • Requiring you to work unpaid during meal breaks
  • Paying you below the mandated minimum wage
  • Not paying you for overtime work
  • Not paying owed wages and benefits to terminated employees

• Can your employer fire you after finding out about your expunged juvenile criminal record in Hillsboro?

  Oregon Revised Statutes 659A.030 makes it unlawful for an employer to discharge an employee for a juvenile criminal record that has already been expunged. The Hillsboro employer also cannot consider your expunged juvenile record when making decisions on hiring, wages, or benefits. However, discrimination on this factor may not be unlawful if it is a legitimate professional qualification necessary for the job.

• Is there a deadline for filing an employment discrimination complaint in Hillsboro?

  If you are filing with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, you must do it within 180 calendar days of the date the discrimination occurred. Meanwhile, employment discrimination complaint filing with the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries has a five-year deadline. Note that if the discrimination occurred before September 29, 2019, you have one year to file the complaint with BOLI. A Hillsboro employment lawyer can help you prepare and lodge your complaint on time.

• What is the minimum hourly wage for workers in Hillsboro?

  Urban work locations, such as Hillsboro, follow the $14.75 minimum wage per hour. Note that Oregon mandates different minimum wage rates for standard and non-urban areas. Standard areas like Benton and Jackson Counties have a $13.5 minimum hourly rate, while non-urban areas like Baker and Jefferson Counties implement a $12.5 minimum hourly rate. These wage rates apply to both adult and minor workers.

• Can you hold your employer liable for sexual harassment at work in Hillsboro?

  Your Hillsboro employer may be liable in sexual harassment cases as they are required to keep a safe environment for workers. The employer is also responsible for correcting unwanted behavior brought to their attention, including harassment conducted by third parties like a customer or a contractor. If you've reported your harassment and followed the company policy to remedy it, but did not get a resolution, you have the option to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

• 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.