As people enter and exit the workplace, there are numerous legal, business, and professional implications for employers and employees alike. Both employers and employees are subject to countless federal and state laws and regulations. To ensure a healthy, viable, and successful employment relationship, it is helpful to have the advice and counsel of an experienced and sharp employment law attorney.
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which fixes standards for wages and overtime pay, applies to most private employees. The FLSA requires companies to pay covered employees at least the federal minimum wage and to pay overtime of one-and-a-half times the regular rate of pay to employees that are not exempt from overtime requirements. In addition to these issues, the FLSA contains additional restrictions on when and where children and teenagers are allowed to work.
There are also applicable federal and state laws which pay workers compensation benefits for the death or disability of an employee resulting from personal injury sustained on the job. This includes wages lost, compensation for total or partial disability, awards for permanent loss or loss of use of a part of the body, related medical costs, and vocational rehabilitation.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) also requires certain employees – those having more than fifty employees – to provide twelve weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for the birth or adoption of a child or the serious illness of an employee, spouse, child, or parent.
The Virginia employment lawyers at MartinWren, P.C. offer a wide range of employment legal services to individuals and employers. We represent clients on these employment issues which range from employment discrimination, retaliation, wage claims and sexual harassment. Additionally, our attorneys can provide helpful advice and counsel on matters regarding the interpretation and enforcement of employment contracts, severance agreements, and post-employment restrictive covenants.
Common employment issues that we handle are:
- Establishing and interpreting employment handbooks and policies
- Wage and overtime claims for both employees and employers
- Discrimination claims
- Workplace harassment
- Medical leave issues
- Whistleblower claims
- Trade secrets and intellectual property matters
- Non-disclosure, non-compete, and non-solicitation agreements
- Business and commercial litigation
- Partnership disputes
- Unfair competition
At MartinWren, P.C., our lawyers recognize the importance of comprehensive and solid employment policies and employee handbooks for your company, regardless of its size. We can review your existing documents or prepare new ones that will address existing employment regulations while ensuring the interests of your company and your employees are protected. After listening to your company’s goals and objectives, our lawyers will ensure your employment policies and employee handbooks are tailored to your specific needs.
Working in tandem with our experienced employment litigation team, MartinWren, P.C. employment attorneys are prepared to represent you throughout the entire legal process. Whether your issue is best handled out of court or inside the courtroom, the attorneys at MartinWren, P.C. are equipped to take whatever steps necessary to fully protect your best interests.
Employment laws and regulations in Virginia are continually changing. Our attorneys stay abreast of the current law and potential and forthcoming changes. As such, we are able to work closely with our clients to develop policies and practices to encourage healthy employment relationships or to pursue claims on behalf of employees whose rights have been violated. For more information about these services, contact either John B. Simpson or Robert E. Byrne, Jr., the employment lawyers at MartinWren, P.C., at (434) 817-3100. Whether you are an employee or employer, our experienced team will work hard to promote and protect your best interests.