by Staff Blogger | November 21st, 2018
Although Tennessee is a right-to-work state, employees like you are still protected by many federal laws. Those laws include protection against discrimination for things like age, race, sex, disability status, religion, and more.
In addition, federal law also requires employers to pay workers overtime wages if they exceed 40 hours of work in a given week. Employers who attempt to circumvent this rule by changing workers’ employment statuses to salaried can face fines and other actions.
Tennessee law also protects workers. For example, Tennessee requires almost all employers to have workers’ compensation insurance. That insurance is designed to help workers recoup lost money if they get hurt or develop an illness on the job and can’t earn their paychecks for a prolonged period of time.
All workers in Tennessee are also required to receive at least one 30-minute break if they’re working for at least six consecutive hours. Employers may violate this requirement in an effort to maximize profits by understaffing and under-hiring.
If you or someone you love was taken advantage of by an employer, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Laws exist for a reason, and there should be consequences to violating them—even when it’s done by a big corporation. The Nashville employment law attorneys at Ponce Law are here to help. Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | August 22nd, 2018
Everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue a rewarding career. Many federal laws were passed during the past several decades to ensure that right and to protect workers from discrimination and unfair practices. Unfortunately, workers in Middle Tennessee and throughout the country still face uphill battles with their employers when it comes to getting fair treatment and safe working conditions.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville employment law attorneys fight for the rights of workers who face a variety of unfair treatment at work, including:
- Discrimination—Workplace discrimination comes in many forms. Employers may refuse to hire or promote workers with certain disabilities, or they may profile against workers based on their age, sex, religion, race, nationality, and more.
- Wage disputes—You’re entitled to getting paid for your labor—especially if you go above and beyond the standard 40-hour work week. But some employers try to avoid paying overtime by misclassifying employees as salaried or by manipulating payroll data and scheduling information.
Employers who violate federal workplace laws often rely on intimidation to get away with it. They think that workers will be too scared of losing their jobs or even being blacklisted in their industries to speak up.
That’s why our legal team handles all employment law cases carefully and with sensitivity to our clients, their families, and their jobs. It’s our goal to help you get both fair treatment and an opportunity to succeed in your career.
Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | April 25th, 2018
Tennessee is a right-to-work state. That means either you or your employer can terminate your employment at any time.
However, the federal government has passed many laws in the past several decades that protect workers in all states from being abused or mistreated by their employers. At Ponce Law, our Nashville employment lawyers know that employers in Music City and throughout Middle Tennessee sometimes violate those laws, and when they do, workers like you can hold them accountable.
As an employee, you have several rights that are guaranteed and protected by federal laws, including:
- The right to a workplace free from discrimination – No employer can discriminate against an employee because of his or her age, sex, religion, pregnancy status, race, disability, or nationality.
- The right to overtime wages if you exceed 40 hours in a given week – If you’re a non-salaried employee, federal laws mandate that you must receive overtime pay for every hour you work beyond 40 in one week. In addition, you also must be paid for every hour you’re at work.
Being mistreated, harassed, or discriminated against at work can be a difficult experience for anyone. You want to stand up for your rights, but you may be afraid of what will happen to your job or your career.
Let us help guide you through this delicate situation. We know how to handle workplace disputes and employment law violations, and we want to protect your rights. Call today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | September 27th, 2017
Your family relies on your paycheck to keep up with everyday living expenses. But if your employer isn’t treating you fairly, you may feel like you’re being taken advantage of—especially if you’re afraid of retaliation for reporting wrongdoings or policy violations. Many employers think they can get away with treating their employees poorly by threatening to demote or even terminate them, but it’s important to remember that you have rights.
Ponce Law’s team of Nashville employment lawyers helps hard-working people like you who are experiencing a variety of unfair treatments from their bosses and superiors, including:
- Insufficient accommodations or opportunities for a disability – The Americans with Disabilities Act protects all U.S. workers from discrimination if they have mental or physical disabilities.
- Discrimination based on identifying categories – Several U.S. laws protect workers from being discriminated against in the workplace for reasons such as age, sex, religion, pregnancy, race, and nationality.
- Wage disputes – The Fair Labor Standards Act says that if you’re a non-exempt (non-salaried) employee and you work more than 40 hours per week, you’re required to receive overtime pay.
Filing a claim against your employer can be stressful, and you may be reluctant to report unfair treatment when it comes to your job and career. But speaking out not only helps you–it can also help others at your company.
Our legal team treats all claims with the utmost confidentiality from beginning to end. Don’t let your employer take advantage of your hard work. Call today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | November 21st, 2016
An old adage claims that “actions speak louder than words,” but as we saw in this year’s election, words are powerful. They can bring people together, and they can tear people apart. That’s why we should all choose our words carefully in every situation, especially at work.
From racial slurs to unwanted sexual advances, no one should have to endure a hostile work environment. At Ponce Law, our lawyers represent Nashville workers who face verbal abuse in their workplace. If it’s happened to you, call our experienced employment law attorneys today for a free consultation. We’ll fully investigate the incident while ensuring your rights are protected. If we believe compensation is deserved for what you’ve gone through, we’ll aggressively pursue the case on your behalf.
Verbal abuse often leads to other forms of discrimination that can dramatically limit your ability to do your job, advance in your company, or simply stay employed. If you’ve been the victim of verbal abuse or sexual harassment, you have a legal advocate in Ponce Law ready to take your case. You don’t have to go through this alone. Give us a call today for a free and confidential consultation.
by Staff Blogger | September 30th, 2016
We give a good portion of our lives to our jobs. The 40-50 hour weeks you’ll put in over the course of your career will add up to years of your life spent in the pursuit of making a living. That level of investment in your company is worth more than the paycheck you receive every week. It warrants respect and gratitude from your employer. Unfortunately, not all Nashville employers honor the contributions of their employers, which sometimes leads to legal disputes that could have been avoided if the employer had simply done the right thing.
Fortunately, Nashville workers have a legal advocate ready to step in and defend their rights in the workplace. At Ponce Law, we handle a variety of employment law case types, including discrimination, disabilities, and wage disputes. We know the law and hold employers accountable when they violate it.
That’s why if your rights have been compromised in the workplace, you should give us a call for a free consultation. We’re ready to hear your story and help determine whether or not you have an employment law case. If so, we’ll do everything within our power to protect your rights and get you compensation for what you’ve been put through. You don’t have to go through this alone. Call us today.
by Staff Blogger | July 29th, 2016
Every Nashville worker is entitled to certain workplace rights. For instance, you have a right to be paid for the work you complete. You have a right to the benefits your employer agreed to upon your hire. And you have a right to a safe workplace, one free of hostility and harassment. Unfortunately, not every Nashville employer protects those rights in their actions or inactions, and if it’s happened to you, you may be entitled to compensation.
At Ponce Law, we handle a number of types of employment law cases, including wage disputes, wrongful termination, and sexual harassment claims. We treat every case confidentially, no matter the circumstances, to ensure the victim is protected throughout the process. Our investigative team works discreetly on behalf of our clients to uncover any wrongs that have been committed. If so, we’ll fight to secure every dollar they are entitled to.
If you have a dispute against your employer, contact our Nashville employment law attorneys today for a free, no obligation consultation. We’re ready to hear your story and begin the process of getting you the justice you deserve. You give your employer your time, your talents, and your experience. When they fail to give you the respect you deserve in return, give us a call. We want to help.
by Staff Blogger | March 16th, 2016
Over a lifetime, most people will spend more time working than any other activity, including spending time with their families. Given the value we place on our jobs, you would expect employers to place an equal value on their employees, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
At Ponce Law, we’re proud to fight for the rights of individuals who have been discriminated against at work. We handle several different types of employment law cases, including disabilities, discrimination, and wage disputes. Let’s take a look at each of those in more detail.
Disabilities—Physical and mental disabilities are protected from employee discrimination by the Americans with Disabilities Act. That means it is against the law for your employer to discriminate against you due to your disability.
Discrimination—There are a number of categories that are protected from workplace discrimination through the Civil Rights Act, including age, sex, religion, pregnancy, and nationality. If you have been discriminated against based on any of these categories, you may be entitled to compensation for your employer’s conduct.
Wage Disputes—As an American worker, you are entitled to a fair wage for labor you perform, including overtime when applicable. For instance, if you worked more than 40 hours a week and did not receive overtime pay, you may have a wage dispute.
If you feel you’ve been the victim of workplace discrimination, give our Nashville employment law attorneys a call today for a free consultation. We’re here to listen. We’re here to help.
by Staff Blogger | November 16th, 2015
The Tennessee Human Rights Act establishes a set of policies that helps ensure workers are treated fairly and equally in the workplace. It also creates a process for workers to take legal action if an employer is found to hold bias against certain workers based on factors such as sex, race, religion, ethnicity, or citizenship status.
The Nashville workplace discrimination lawyers at Ponce Law explain three former employees of the University of Tennessee are exercising their rights to equality in the workplace by filing a discrimination lawsuit against the school. They claim they were unfairly compensated for the work they were doing based on either their sex or their affiliation with women’s sports programs.
One of the victims was the associate director of sports medicine at the university, while the other two were strength-training coaches. Each claims evidence will show they were paid less than other employees who carried similar job titles with men’s sports programs. The trio filed their complaint in Oct. 2012 and, according to an article from The Washington Times, the case is scheduled to go to trial in April 2016.
The damage that discrimination can cause can be long lasting. That’s why the Nashville employment lawyers at Ponce Law are hopeful that this particular Tennessee discrimination lawsuit will help bring closure to each of the victims who were allegedly underpaid for their work.
by Staff Blogger | September 25th, 2015
On September 14, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. For 25 years, these regulations have helped countless individuals with mental or physical disabilities receive and hold employment. However, experts and officials say there continues to be room for improvement when it comes to preventing discrimination against the disabled.
The Knoxville News Sentinel discusses how many businesses have worked to stay in compliance with rules outlined by the ADA. Some structures have required upgrades in order to accommodate those with disabilities. In cases where accommodations for the disabled cannot be made, the law now requires products and services to be made available to the disabled through other means.
Despite the focus that has been placed on creating businesses that are disability-friendly, data indicates that many disabled citizens continue to struggle to gain employment. In fact, 40 percent of homeless individuals suffer from a disability.
Many organizations have worked to raise awareness about this issue as we celebrate a quarter century of the ADA.
At Ponce Law, we have seen first hand how the ADA has had a positive impact on the lives of our friends and neighbors. Our Nashville personal injury lawyers are excited to celebrate the ADA’s anniversary, and we hope to see the law continue to have a positive influence on the lives of Americans.
