If you are a member of a labor union or work for someone who is, a labor lawyer may be your first port of call for resolving workplace conflicts. Learn how a labor lawyer may assist you.
What you’ll discover:
What Do Labor Attorneys Do?
How Do I Determine If I Need a Labor Lawyer?
What Does a Labor Lawyer Charge?
What Can I Expect When Hiring a Labor Lawyer?
If you are a member of a labor union or work for someone who is, a labor lawyer may be your first port of call for resolving workplace conflicts.
Table of Contents
What Do Labor Attorneys Do?
Labor attorneys, as a branch of employment law, represent both employers and workers in disputes and discussions. Labor laws, on the other hand, are focused primarily on industries with labor unions (teachers, police officers, bus drivers, etc.) and their distinctive rules and restrictions. Members of labor unions will be represented by labor attorneys in claims against employers and during strike discussions, as will employers in cases against workers.
How Do I Determine If I Need a Labor Lawyer?
As an employer, you should contact a labor lawyer if:
A lawsuit is threatened against you, generally for abuse, illegal overtime, discrimination, unsafe working conditions, or wrongful termination.
You intend to terminate an unsatisfactory union employee.
There is discussion of a strike there.
As an employee, you should consult with a labor lawyer if:
You want to sue your employer for any kind of abuse.
You were fired without reason and would wish to discuss conditions during a strike.
What Does a Labor Lawyer Charge?
Labor attorneys typically charge by the hour, but in certain situations, such as high-value disputes, a lawyer may charge on a contingency basis. You pay nothing up advance on a contingency basis, and your lawyer will earn a percentage only if you win your case. The fee you pay will be determined by numerous variables, including which union you belong to, the complexity of your case, and where you reside in the nation. Make an upfront agreement with your lawyer on a fee.
What Can I Expect When Hiring a Labor Lawyer?
If your legal situation goes to court and you are the one suing, you will either be reimbursed by the other party, you will reach an agreement on a set of conditions, or you will lose the case and be back where you began. If you are the one being sued, your alternatives are similar, but you will be paying rather than having the possibility to earn money. There are alternatives to going to court, and a labor lawyer may advise you on the best course of action.
