While federal laws make up the foundation of most employment protections, state laws play a critical role as well, especially when it comes to rules governing holidays, wages, and overtime. In Arizona, for example, the minimum wage is $10.50 an hour – compared to the federal minimum wage of just $7.25 – and is set to increase annually. The Industrial Commission’s 2017 model minimum wage notice is available here. Under Proposition 206, the Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act, Arizona minimum wage will increase to $11.00 per hour in 2019 and $12.00 per hour in 2020.
Employment and labor law includes discrimination claims, wrongful discharge claims, wrongful termination claims, union activities, and issues related to benefits such as insurance or pensions. It can also include statutory claims such as wage and hour claims, unemployment compensation, and workers’ comp. The practice areas our Arizona civil suit lawyers specialize in include:
- Discrimination
- Civil rights
- Employee litigation
- Hostile workplaces
- Policies and procedures
Every potential claim is unique. Whether you are an employee or an employer caught up in a dispute over employment law, call a Burg Simpson Phoenix commercial litigation lawyer at 602-777-7000 or fill out our FREE CASE EVALUATION FORM HERE so we can help you before it’s too late.
A lot of disputes over employment law come down to deciphering whether an act is actually illegal conduct or simply bad management. Arizona is an at-will employment state, which means employment is voluntary – for employees and employers alike. But if an employer terminates you for a discriminatory reason or as an act of retaliation, it violates your rights and is against the law.
Both state and federal law prohibit workplace discrimination, so it is mandatory for the employer to ensure the workplace is free of discrimination. In short, an employer cannot take any negative action against an employee based on their age, disability, race or national origin, religion, gender, or pregnancy. Similarly, state and federal laws also prohibit an employer from allowing a hostile workplace to develop or continue. Finally, if an employee formally complains about workplace discrimination, the employer is prohibited by law from retaliating.
If going to work puts you in a hostile environment, do not take matters into your own hands. Speak with a civil law attorney at Burg Simpson Arizona by calling 602-777-7000 so we can discuss your situation and the options available to you.
Employees are entitled to time away from work for a variety of reasons, whether it involves a civic duty or personal matters. In Arizona, employers are prohibited from terminating employees who exercise these rights, which can include:
- Military leave: Federal law allows employees to take as much as five years away from work to serve without fear of losing their job. Arizona law extends this protection to members of the state’s National Guard.
- Jury Duty and voting: Federal law also provides protections for employees who exercise their civic duties, such as serving on a jury or voting. Employees cannot be forced to take paid time off for jury duty and are permitted three hours to cast their ballot.
- Family Medical Leave Act: The federal Family Medical Leave Act allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off for a serious medical condition. The law applies to employers with more than 50 employees.
If your employer is keeping you from taking time off, for whatever reason, call an experienced corporate litigation lawyer in Phoenix AZ today. Reach out to Burg Simpson by calling 602-777-7000 so we can help.
LET A BURG SIMPSON ARIZONA LAWYER HELP YOU
Whether you are an employee who is been denied time off or you are an employer who is struggling with a worker who is claiming discrimination, get legal help as soon as possible. Call the civil attorneys in Phoenix at Burg Simpson at 602-777-7000 or fill out our FREE CASE EVALUATION form now.
