Best Employment Lawyers in Nashville

FAQs

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

  The non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Nashville is 615-862-8600.

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

  You can obtain a copy of your police report in Nashville by visiting the Public Request Section of the Central Records Division at 811 Anderson Ln Suite 100, Madison, TN 37115. Additionally, you may also send an email request to MNPDPublic@nashville.gov.

  Note: The link has been removed since it leads to Nashville's main page.

• Can you be fired from work for any cause in Nashville?

  Yes, you can be terminated from work for any cause in Nashville. The state of Tennessee observes an at-will statute in employment, which means an employer can fire you for no reason. However, state laws prohibit the termination of workers due to age, race, religion, and disability. Doing so will violate the Tennessee Human Rights Act.

• Can you still work after your doctor performed surgery and you missed more than a month of work in Nashville?

  Yes, you can return to your job after having surgery in Nashville. The Family Medical Leave Act protects your rights by requiring employers to provide employees with 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for valid medical reasons. However, your company should have at least 50 workers living within a 75-mile radius, and you must have been working for the company for at least a year.

• If you have a different religion from your employer and have been forced to attend a Bible Study in Nashville, can you file a harassment case?

  Yes. You can file a complaint if you have been forced by your employer to attend a religious gathering against your will in Nashville. State and federal labor laws require employers to accept all workers regardless of religion and prohibit the harassment of employees with a different faith. Religious harassment violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Tennessee Human Rights Act.

• If your employer in Nashville failed to pay your overtime work, can you file a complaint?

  Yes, you can file a complaint if your employer in Nashville failed to disburse your overtime pay. Your labor rights are protected under the Fair Labor Standards Act, which prohibits employers from any retaliatory actions against you if you file a lawsuit. In addition, FLSA requires employers to pay workers 1.5x their regular rate for all the excess hours over 40 in a work week.

• If you are a public employee, will you get in trouble if you have expressed dissatisfaction about government issues in Nashville?

  No, your freedom of speech is protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. As an employer in Nashville, you have the right to voice your displeasure with government policies, especially about corruption, without worrying about retaliation from the state. If an action has been taken against you, you should contact an employment lawyer to discuss your options in filing a lawsuit.

• 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.