Employer-employee relationships are often complicated. Connecticut is an at-will employment state. That means that your boss can fire you for any reason, even when that doesn’t sound fair or right. However, as an employee, you have your rights, including the right to get a fair wage, not to be discriminated on basis on age, religion, race, sex, and other grounds. When your rights have been violated, you may want to consult a wage and hour attorney. If you are looking for an employment attorney in Connecticut, here is a guide that may come in handy.
When to contact an attorney
- If you have suffered discrimination on basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, and other notable grounds.
- If you suffered sexual harassment at work.
- If you have been fired wrongfully.
- If you filed a complaint against someone, but the company failed to take action.
- If you weren’t paid the prevalent wage, or overtime dues.
- If you were denied a promotion for wrongful reason.
- If your employer retaliated against you.
Check online
Websites like Avvo are really handy for comparing employment attorneys in your area. You can find references and reviews on Google too. The good news is most attorneys offer free initial consultation, so you may want to meet a lawyer to know them better. Ensure that you are meeting a lawyer specializing in employment law.
Ask questions
As a new client, you have the right to ask questions. You can ask questions like –
- How long have you been practicing as an employment attorney?
- How often do you work on cases similar or comparable to mine?
- What do you think of my case?
- What are my legal options?
- What can I expect in terms of outcome?
- How much do you charge for your services?
- How can I get updates about my case?
- Can you share more on the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
- Can you share a few references?
- Do you have a conflict of interest?
Some employment attorneys work for employers and employees at the same time, so you need to ask the last question. If the same law firm is defending your employer in another case, they may not be the best choice for your lawsuit (in case you have one).
As for the cost of hiring an employment attorney in Connecticut, it depends on the case. Sometimes, attorneys charge by the hour, while in other cases, they may actually work on a contingency fee.
