ABC’s of Employment Law – Part 4

Welcome to part 4 of our ABCs of Employment Law series, letters U through Z.  We hope you have enjoyed and learned a lot from the series!  As always, please contact Gold Star Law if you have any questions or would like to discuss a potential claim.

 U is for union- some employees are members of a bargaining group called a union, which can negotiate with the employer about work conditions, including pay, and may give an employee additional rights or remedies beyond what the employee would already get as a matter of law.

V is for verdict- the decision reached by a judge or jury on a case at or after a trial about the outcome of the case.  Most employment law cases settle and do not actually go to trial.  However, when they do, it is up to a judge or jury to decide which side prevails and how much money, if any, should be awarded to the prevailing party.

W is for wage- the amount an employee is paid for their work.  Most employees are entitled to at least minimum wage (see letter “M”) for all hours worked and at least one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 per week (see letter “O”), subject to certain exceptions called exemptions (see letter “E”).

X is for “Xquitas Agit In Personam,” meaning “Equity acts upon the person”- in law, certain remedies for wrongful actions are not just awards of money, but orders that a person act or not act in a certain way, such as not sexually harassing an employee.

Y is for you- because YOU have rights as an employee, and deserve to be paid legally and to be free from harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Do not be afraid to assert YOUR legal rights when it comes to your employment situation.

Z is for zero dollars- the amount it costs you to call Gold Star Law today to find out if you have an employment law claim worth pursuing.