Negotiating A Reasonable Accommodation
There are examples of workers needing an accommodation at work in order to perform their job, and Ohio workers have a right to reasonable accommodations to perform their job despite a disability. Job changes and assistance are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you are a qualified employee, which means you have […]
If you are considering moving forward with an employment law claim or lawsuit, you may be wondering what the end result will be, such as what you will receive if you win the case. There are a variety of answers just as there are a range of employment law cases. There are financial and emotional […]
In many situations, Ohio employees who work over 40 hours within a designated work week are due overtime pay. This means that for each hour over the initial 40, compensation will be time and a half. But there are times when workers do not receive the pay they are entitled to, and in other circumstances […]
When you discuss employment law, you are discussing the area of the law that states the rights of individuals within the employee-employer relationship. While this does apply to current employees, it also covers former workers and applicants for open positions. There are a wide range of issues that can lead to an employment law dispute, […]
The phrase working off the clock refers to work that an employee does that is not directly compensated and is not tallied as part of an employee’s weekly hours, meaning it can lead to unpaid overtime. If an employer is requiring you to work, they are required to compensate you for your work under the […]
If you are an Ohio worker, it is important you understand your rights regarding pay. This includes minimum wage and overtime requirements. Legally, your employer is required to pay workers at least the minimum wage for every hour worked within a workweek, up to 40 hours. Work beyond the 40 hours should be paid an […]
In order to understand your rights as an employee, you need to understand what type of employee you are at your workplace. For example, you need to know if you are an exempt employee or a non-exempt employee. There are differences between the types of jobs these designations hold and if they are paid for […]
When you work with an employment lawyer, they should be clear about their fee structure. If someone is not straight with you on the outset, they are not a good match for your needs. It is essential you understand how fees and billing will be handled before moving forward with an attorney-client relationship. Ohio employers […]
By law, employers must maintain a record of time worked for each employee. If accurate records are not kept, it could lead to an investigation of wage violations. Columbus employment attorneys regularly investigate wage and hour claims. There may be a path to justice and compensation. For example, if a company is not maintaining accurate […]
There are times when it is in your best interests to work with an employment attorney. For example, if your place of employment has illegally withheld wages, you were wrongfully terminated from your place of work, or if you are discriminated against and harassed at your job. Protecting your rights and holding an employer is […]
According to federal law, veterans have the right to be employed in civilian job positions free of discrimination. These protections are in place for individuals who are no longer serving and for members of the active military, including those in the National Guard and the Army Reserves. In the event of a violation, the employer […]
Are you wondering what determines a hostile work environment? There are many scenarios that could result in a work environment being toxic, particularly if there is persistent intimidation or severe harassment. Discrimination can also be an issue. When a hostile work environment is making it impossible for you to do your job in the state […]
There are many different types of lawsuits. Sometimes when a group of people were all harmed due to the same employment problem, the issue can be solved through a class action. Doing so is a way to protect the rights of a group of people. In other circumstances, when the case is in response to […]
Many employers, in Ohio and around the country, have violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Sometimes it is intentionally violated, in other instances an employer does so without realizing it. Either way, it is against the law. Employees have rights. If your rights were violated, connect with a Columbus employment attorney. The FLSA Has […]
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a path for employees to take a leave from work and still maintain job protections. Before going on leave, it is essential the correct paperwork has been filled out. Ask your employer about FMLA requirements and follow their instructions before going on leave. Employers may say these […]
Employment termination is when the relationship between an employee and employer comes to an end. This could happen because an employee has decided to terminate their relationship with the organization or the employer has made the decision to terminate employment. If you feel you were unlawfully terminated from your Ohio workplace, discuss the details of […]
If you are a nursing mother who works for an employer with 50 or more employees, you are entitled to a private place to express milk. This is a legal obligation according to the Break Time for Nursing Mothers under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Smaller companies, businesses with less than 50 employees, may be […]
If you are a parent of a teenager, it is possible they want to get a job in order to secure funds for their college education or to simply have spending money. In Ohio, as in every state in the United States, child labor laws are in place. While it is possible for teenagers aged […]
If you are pregnant woman who has experienced a change at your job because of your pregnancy, legal action may be possible. An employer does not have the right to change a person’s hours or shifts solely because the individual is pregnant. Similarly, being discriminated against during the hiring process or being passed over for […]
Workers have rights, including the right to fair pay for hours worked. Of course, what is considered fair pay has changed over time. Laws need to be followed, employers are not legally permitted to change the rules on their own. The minimum wage in Ohio is set, an employer is not permitted to pay less […]
Moving forward with a lawsuit can be difficult, and a lawsuit against a work supervisor or employer is no different. Many are conflict averse but there are times when you need to fight for your rights. And part of your rights may be recovering damages, such as lost wages. If you need a lawyer to […]
There are many ways that racism occurs within a workplace, and it is an illegal form of harassment due to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That said, it still occurs. Overt racism may be less apparent than it was in the past, but there are still plenty of inappropriate and illegal comments and jokes. […]
Did you stand up for yourself or a coworker because they were being harassed? Or did you point out illegal activity at work? Were you retaliated against for doing so? Employee retaliation is illegal. Ohio state law and federal employment laws prohibit bosses or employers from taking revenge against a worker who was within their […]
It is our civic duty to serve on juries when we are called to do so. Jury duty is when you serve on a jury, giving the defendant in court the right to a trial with an impartial jury. If you are called to the court and do not appear, you could be held in […]
Many Ohio employees access their right to family medical leave when they have a serious medical concern or when they need to care for another in the family going through a health crisis. There are protections in place under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) which allows workers who are eligible to take up to […]
There are many different types of law. When an attorney practices employment law, they are focused on the rights of employees or employers. Our firm exclusively represents employees and fights for their rights to be treated in accordance with various employment laws. Essentially, we help employees navigate employees’ relationships with their employers in terms of […]
Many employers discourage staff members from discussing their salaries. Often a culture of privacy around salary leaves is in place. But, it is not illegal in most circumstances. While comparing compensation and pay rates can be frowned upon, according to the National Labor Relations Act, employees have a right to have discussions that promote mutual […]
An at-will employee is a person who can be terminated for any reason, or can leave their job for any reason, that is not illegal or does not break a collective bargaining agreement or written contract. Ohio is an at-will employment state. But, if you are fired from a job for a reason that is […]
When a person is struggling with a mental health issue, whether that concern is related to anxiety, depression, PTSD, or something else, they may not feel confident sharing that information with their supervisor. And if a person wants to use their right to leave under the Family Medical Leave Act to treat a mental health […]
It may be surprising for individuals who do not regularly work within the legal profession, but there are set timeframes when a person is legally able to move a claim forward. This can be frustrating for people who were harmed by a violation many years ago. Moving on a claim as soon as possible is […]
No, there are differences between workers’ compensation law and employment law, but the two types of law do overlap in some situations. Which makes sense, because both types of law establish rules about the relationships between employers and employees. But, while workplaces are a connector, there are distinctions. If you have legal questions about your […]
If you have a workplace dispute but are looking for a solution other than traditional litigation, you may be interested in exploring Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). ADR can save an employee time and money on their path to justice. One of the benefits to an ADR is it could result in the employee and the […]
As an Ohio employee, you have rights. There are legal protections in place at the state and federal level. Even if you are not an employee but are a contract worker, you have established rights in certain employment situations. If you have a workplace dispute and are wondering what paths to justice are possible, talk […]
A way to save for retirement, a 401(k) plan is offered by many Ohio employers as part of an overall benefit package. Essentially, it is an opportunity for employees to invest a percentage of their pre-tax income. This way, employees are not paying income tax on their retirement contributions until the money is taken out […]
If you are an Ohio employee who is thinking about moving forward with a claim against your employer, there are ways to strengthen a claim. These may include documentation, research, and connecting with a seasoned Columbus employment attorney. Experienced employment lawyers know what you need to do and what timelines need to be followed to […]
Sometimes it is possible to resolve a dispute without litigation, an alternative path may be the best way for you to move forward. For example, mediation is a solution for many. A confidential process, mediation is when a third party, someone neutral such as a judge or other experienced legal professional, listens to both of […]
Unfortunately, there are times when individuals are injured when they are at work. The range of injuries is wide and varies depending on the industry a person works within. If you work in a fulfillment center, for example, it may be possible for you to slip and fall, resulting in injuries to your neck and […]
Defending Yourself Against False Accusations at Work When people get up and go to work in the morning, they are not typically thinking they will show up and face an allegation of illegal activity or bad behavior. But unfortunately, this has happened to individuals. Sometimes to reliable, good employees who have done nothing wrong. Digital […]
When there is an issue at work, it is natural to seek justice. You may be seeking ways to prove your side of the story, but recording workplace conversations without the consent of the others involved in the conversation could lead to more issues. Under Ohio law, the recording itself is not a criminal offense […]
It is common for individuals to work as freelancers, sometimes doing the same tasks for the same organization for years. Workers may not even be sure if they are correctly classified as an independent contractor compared to an employee of the company. But, there are legal distinctions between the two classifications. For example, benefit eligibility, […]
Unfortunately, workplace harassment is common in Ohio, throughout the country, and the world. Harassment can create a toxic work environment, particularly if it goes unreported and is allowed to continue over time. If you feel you were a victim of harassment, it is important you learn about your legal rights. Protect yourself and connect with […]
There are only a limited amount of circumstances when an employer can legally deduct from employee wages. Those reasons are clearly stated in federal law and Ohio law. Do you believe your employer improperly deducted from your wages? If so, you have rights. Connect with a Columbus employment attorney to learn how to pave a […]
While it is true that Americans have First Amendment rights, including free speech, it does not guarantee how others will respond. Yes, the First Amendment allows you to freely express your views. But, if you speak your mind at work the First Amendment does not protect you from termination. Free speech is a core right, […]
When there is a termination of employment, there may be an offer of severance pay. The amount granted may be calculated based on the length of employment, an amount may be stated within an employee contract, or may be a number arbitrarily selected by an employer. If you are in the process of negotiating an […]
There are many situations in which employees wonder if they should talk to an employment attorney. They may be upset by the inequitable salaries at the workplace. Or they may be a victim of harassment or discrimination. There are many, many reasons to seek justice. If an employer has treated you in an unlawful matter, […]
If you are working for an employer who did not pay you when they were supposed to or incorrectly calculated your wages, legal action may be a possibility. Unfortunately, too many workers let a situation go because they do not believe they can afford an attorney. But, if you have been a victim of wage […]
It is always stressful to lose a job. The event can lead to self-doubt and can create financial problems for families. And while there are a broad range of reasons Ohio employers can legally let workers go, there are also instances of illegal termination. Legal reasons to fire a worker include safety concerns, poor worker […]
Yes, an employer can legally run a background check. As long as the process follows applicable laws, the employer has the right to look into an individual’s education, employment history, and any evidence of a criminal record. But, there are times when places of business run illegal background checks, too. For example, it is not […]
Litigating a case is a term that is used to sum up the litigation process, this includes filing a complaint, presenting at trial, and all of the steps between the initial filing and the final court appearance at a jury or bench trial. If you were in a circumstance where you feel your worker rights […]
Individuals who work in the service industry often rely on tips for a portion of their income. Some of the workers who depend on tips include bartenders, servers, individuals who clear tables between customers, and counter staff. While all of these professions across the business may receive tips, how the tips are handled legally can […]
As coronavirus continues to spread, many employers are changing the rules of how and where employees can work. Taking direction from public health officials and others within the industry, more and more supervisors are allowing employees to work from home even as stay at home orders are lifted. In other cases, schedules have changed or […]
While many Ohio businesses can reopen, there are still precautions to consider as cases of coronavirus are still being reported. If you are a business owner who is trying to balance employee safety and local guidelines, you may be seeking advice. Some of the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) follow. Contact […]
Are you wondering if you would benefit from a discussion with an Ohio employment attorney? If the question is on your mind, chances are you could use legal guidance. Employment lawyers can help businesses navigate employment laws and government regulations, which can help in avoiding litigation in the future. And employees can learn their rights […]
Are you aware of the protections you have under the American with Disability Act (ADA)? The ADA is in place to protect workers from discrimination. It ensures access to government services, public transportation, commercial stores, transportation, and telecommunications. The act stops employers from discriminating against workers with disabilities. Which Employers Are Required to Follow ADA […]
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, unemployment claims have skyrocketed, with reports of over 36 million U.S. workers filing for benefits since the middle of March. Some of these workers were laid off permanently while others were furloughed, a term that suggests an employee may be able to return to their position when economic conditions improve. […]
For many, social media is a way to connect with their coworkers, friends, family members, and individuals with shared interests. Because the platforms are a way to share news, it is natural for pictures of work celebrations or descriptions of what happened during a work day to be posted on social media. But, there are […]
As states ease out of stay-at-home orders, there are concerns on how employees will safely return to their workspaces. Understanding all of the local and federal requirements for reopening and implementing precautions presents a challenge to both employees and employers. Understanding requirements and following all of the needed steps to secure a workforce can be […]
In a victory for equal rights of all persons regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, Title VII now makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against gay and transgendered workers. Employers can no longer discrimination against employees based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Supreme Court, in a groundbreaking 6-3 decision […]
As employees return to workplaces, there have been many questions. While each situation is unique, there are a handful of topics that are returned to again and again, such as protective gear compliance and child care. For guidance on your circumstance and how it is impacting your job in Ohio, talk to a Columbus employment […]
If you work at an Ohio workplace but are not getting paid for breaks, you might be unsure if the practice is legal or not. According to federal law, if an employer gives an employee a rest that is 20 minutes or less, it should be paid. But, the state of Ohio does not require […]
More and more people are working from home. But what if someone is injured? Work-related injuries are typically covered by workers’ compensation and this can also be applicable when a person is not physically in the office. For example, the compensation covers injuries that happen when visiting a client’s place of work or on a […]
People are often excited when they start a new position. Looking forward to the challenges and rewards ahead, they may sign a pile of paperwork on their first day. Sometimes they are not fully reading every document they sign. One of the items might be a non-compete agreement or non-solicitation agreement. Then, as time moves […]
If you have been asked to sign an employment contract, you likely have a few questions about what you are agreeing to. The agreements are in place so there is an understanding of the conditions and terms of employment between the employer and employee. The document may help if there is ever a dispute. Reviewing […]
Sometimes work environments become hostile over time. And often there are indicators the company culture is shifting. This can be seen within businesses that are overlooking unacceptable conflicts between staff, coworkers, and supervisors. Hostile work environments are bad for a business as many employees leave their positions or take sick days to avoid hostility. There […]
Final Paychecks under Ohio Law If you are leaving a position because you were fired, you may be wondering when your final paycheck will be disbursed. Unfortunately for Ohio employees, the state of Ohio does not have a statute in place that stipulates a business must immediately pay a person who is fired from a […]
In the United States, the population is aging. This is seen in a census bureau report that predicts a rise in the median age of Americans. The current median age is 38 years old, by the year 2030 the median age is projected to rise to 40 years old. Add this information to the trend […]
With more and more people having ongoing yet temporary work with organizations, it can lead to individuals wondering if they are independent contractors or an employee. These classifications matter. They impact your benefit eligibility, your compensation or pay, taxes, and more. The nature of your relationship with your employer can change over time, too. Even […]
Wage laws are often violated. This can happen directly or indirectly. If an employer pays you less than the minimum wage, that is a violation. In another situation, a pay rate in excess of the minimum wage rate may be paid but that rate is reduced by improper deductions, that would be an indirect violation. […]
Ohio is an at-will employment state. What this means is that the relationship between the employer and the employee may be terminated, by either party, at any time. Unless, of course, there is a contract or law that states this termination is not legal. At-will employees do have certain legal protections under the law. If […]
If your Ohio employer has asked you to take a drug test, you may be wondering if the request is legal. The answer is yes. Many employees can legally be asked to take drug tests. This includes a lot of federal employees. Some of these federal employees are law enforcement officers or work within national […]
It is not a new phenomenon for individuals to date others in their workplaces. But the climate around interoffice romances has changed. There are examples of this in large corporations such as McDonald’s, where the CEO was terminated because of poor judgement in pursuing a romantic relationship. The employee was supervised by the CEO. This […]
Unemployment rules have been updated and adjusted in states impacted by the global coronavirus pandemic. This includes the states of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Ohio governor Mike DeWine has adjusted benefits during this time of emergency. Essentially, a one-week gap that was in place has been lifted in addition to other shifts. This gap was […]
When individuals have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), they may suffer from nightmares, anxiety, depression, and uncontrollable emotions and feelings. But, even if an Ohio worker feels PTSD is interfering with their work they are unable to claim a workers’ compensation claim solely on the diagnosis of PTSD. Of course, PTSD can be connected to another […]
Over the last decade, there has been an increase of Ohio independent contractors. There are now self-employed individuals within many industries, from industry professionals to service providers. If you are an independent contractor in Ohio and are wondering if you are eligible for workers’ compensation, the answer is not a simple yes or no. Because […]
When an employee is fired, they may believe there was not a legal justification for their termination. In some instances, they are right. That said, there are situations when an employer is allowed to terminate an employee. If you have been fired from an Ohio job, talk to our Columbus employment attorneys about your rights. […]
The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a United States labor law enacted in 1993. FMLA is the right for eligible employees to take unpaid leave for specific medical and family reasons. Because of FMLA, these leaves are job-protected and ensure the person has continued group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions […]
If an employee files a claim for workers’ compensation, their place of employment cannot lawfully retaliate or terminate that individual. A firing in connection with a workers’ compensation claim is illegal retaliation and a wrongful termination lawsuit could result. Of course, if there is another reason for the firing, an employer may say that that […]
According to Ohio law, prevailing wage laws are applicable to the wages and hours received on certain public work projects. Improvements that are being funded, in whole or in part, by public dollars. The overall project does have to have a certain cost to be subject to prevailing wage rights law. Talk to our Columbus […]
If you are an employee working in Ohio, understanding the sick leave laws that are relevant to your industry and position is important. At the law offices of Coffman Legal, LLC, our employment attorneys can guide you through laws on sick leave, and will represent you if your rights have been breached. Please call our […]
Qualifying for unemployment benefits in Ohio generally requires Losing your job without just cause, Working for a company or agency that pays into the state unemployment insurance program, Working at least half-time for the preceding 18 months, Submitting an initial application with the state’s Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), and Filing weekly […]
The trusted Columbus based employment law firm Coffman Legal has announced its plans to move. The employment law firm plans to transition its main office space from 1457 High Street to 1550 Old Henderson Rd, Suite 126, Columbus, Ohio 43220 by the end of the month. To keep up with increasing demand for Coffman’s first-rate […]
The shortest answer to the question posed is, “No, Ohio labor laws do not require employers to give breaks to the overwhelming majority of employees.” Since this is nowhere near the complete answer, read on if you believe your employer is treating you unfairly when it comes to setting your hours and paying you for […]