Despite local, state, and federal laws governing workplaces in Chicago, employment-related disputes are commonplace. From sexual harassment and discrimination to wage and hour violations and retaliation, it is crucial for employees to understand their rights and for employers to comply with the law. That’s where Vaziri Law, LLC employment law attorney comes in.
If you believe your employment rights have been violated, our experienced Chicago employment lawyer will provide you with informed representation when you need it most. Though pursuing a claim against your employer is challenging, trust our Cook County employment law lawyer to help protect your interests, your livelihood, and your reputation.
When you become our client, we will take the time to understand your circumstances and explore the legal options available to you. While employment-related disputes in Illinois can often be resolved through arbitration or administrative proceedings, we are fully prepared to litigate in state and federal court. Rest assured that we will stand by you every step of the way and always work in your best interests.
At Vaziri Law LLC, we also work to help business clients resolve employment-related disputes and develop policies and procedures clarifying the employment relationship. Above all, we are committed to helping employees and employers establish positive work environments. Contact our Chicago employment law office today to schedule your initial consultation.
Why You Need a Chicago Employment Law Lawyer
Employees in Chicago and throughout Illinois have legal protections under a variety of labor and employment laws; however, it takes a skilled employment lawyer to protect your rights. The legal team at Vaziri Law LLC has extensive experience helping clients resolve all types of employment law claims, including:
Employment Law: Sexual Harassment
All employees in Chicago have a right to a work environment free from sexual harassment; however, workplace harassment is sometimes difficult to identify. Generally, however, there are two forms of harassment. Quid pro quo harassment occurs when a person in a position of authority (e.g. owner, executive, supervisor, manager) makes unwanted sexual advances or demands sex of an employee or job candidate in exchange for employment or a work-related benefit (raise, promotion, training).
Another type of harassment is referred to as a hostile work environment. This arises when anyone in an employment setting — supervisor, co-worker, vendor, client, customer — makes comments, conduct, or displays of a sexual nature that are severe or pervasive enough to interfere with the victim’s ability to perform his or her duties.
Sexual harassment is considered an unlawful form of discrimination under local, state, and federal law. At Vaziri Law LLC, we understand that sexual harassment is a sensitive issue that can impact anyone in the workplace, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation or identity, or employment status. If you have been subjected to harassment in your workplace, let our experienced Chicago sexual harassment employment attorney help you right this wrong.
Employment Law: Wage and Hour Claims
Our firm regularly handles wage and hour claims involving unpaid minimum wages, unpaid overtime, employee misclassification, and other wage violations under state and federal law, including the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, the Illinois Minimum Wage Law, and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
We represent individual employees at all levels in wage disputes across multiple industries, from low-wage earners and tipped employees in the restaurant and hospitality sector to executive compensation cases. At Vaziri Law LLC, we are also fully prepared to represent groups of employees who have suffered similar wage and hour violations in a class/collective action lawsuit and businesses who find themselves the targets of these suits.
Employment Discrimination
Local, state, and federal laws prohibit employment discrimination, including:
- The Chicago Human Rights Ordinance
- The Illinois Human Rights Act
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
- Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)
- Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act (GINA)
In short, these laws prohibit employers from discriminating against employees and prospective candidates based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other protected characteristics.
Whether you were denied employment because of your race, wrongfully terminated because of your age, or believe you were treated unfairly or unlawfully, the employment discrimination attorney at Vaziri Law LLC will fight to protect your rights.
Wrongful Termination/Retaliation
Illinois is an “at-will” state for purposes of employment, which means that either the employee or employer may terminate the employment relationship at any time, without reason or cause. Given that employers have an advantage over employees who rely on their wages, workers in Chicago are at risk of being terminated for illegal or discriminatory reasons.
In short, employers cannot terminate employees based on a protected characteristic or in violation of a written or implied agreement between the parties. Finally, employers in Chicago cannot retaliate against employees who complain about harassment, wages, or discrimination by taking an adverse employment action (e.g. firing, demotion, reassignment). If you believe this has happened to you, our experienced employment lawyer will work to protect your rights.
Chicago Employment Agreement Attorney
At Vaziri Law LLC, we have extensive experience preparing, reviewing, and negotiating all types of employment-related contracts throughout Chicago, including:
- Employment agreements — designed to clarify the terms of the employment relationship (e.g, the employee’s duties and responsibilities, salary, work schedule, term of employment, paid time off, employment benefits, and grounds for termination). Before you sign an employment agreement, talk to our employment lawyer.
- Nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) — Also referred to as confidentiality agreements, an NDA is often included in an employment agreement as a restrictive covenant. NDAs are intended to prevent employees from intentionally or unintentionally sharing confidential business information (e.g. trade secrets, client lists, processes) with others, both inside and outside of the organization. If you have been asked to sign an NDA, consult with an attorney to make sure that it is fair and reasonable.
- Noncompete agreements — Employers rely on another form of restrictive covenant known as a non-compete agreement to prevent former employees from taking positions with competitors or starting a competing business; however, the courts take a narrow view of noncompetes. To be enforceable, the agreement cannot be unreasonably restrictive in terms of duration and geographical scope and must also protect the employer’s legitimate business interests.
- Severance Agreements — Employers sometimes require terminated employees to sign severance agreements, which may specify the reason for the termination and offer severance pay. The catch is the employees are typically required to sign a release and waiver in exchange for receiving severance. The best way to protect your rights is to have our employment lawyer negotiate your severance agreement.
Contact the Chicago Employment Law Attorney at Vaziri Law, LLC Today!
The contemporary workplace in Chicago is rapidly evolving. The best way for employees and employers to understand their rights and obligations is to have the advice and counsel of an experienced employment law attorney. Contact our office today.
Our law firm helps residents of Chicago with Employment law needs, including those who live in Cook County, Dupage County, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County.