pec's blog

No, it is not illegal to speak Spanish in the workplace. In the United States, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) prohibits workplace discrimination based on national origin and this includes speaking a language that is not the language of the workplace. Employers are not legally allowed to enforce a policy that limits the use of a particular language, including Spanish, unless a legitimate business requires that only certain languages are allowed in the workplace.

If you suffer from a disability, there are ways to overcome the physical and mental challenges that will make living with a disability easier. It can be hard to accept a disability but simply accepting it is like giving up for many. Refusing to accept the limitations you have to endure prevents you from making the changes you should make, and discovering new goals.

Starting on January 1, 2024, Illinois employment laws will be implementing the Paid Leave For All Workers Act. This means workers in Illinois will begin earning paid time off. The new law allows workers to earn up to 40 hours of paid leave in a 12-month period. Workers will accrue one hour of leave for every 40 hours worked.

If you’re a railroad worker in the U.S., the Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA) protects you from retaliation and ensures your employer must take certain steps to provide for your safety. You may take legal action if an employer violates the FRSA.

However, you might not know whether you have a valid case if you’re not familiar with this law. The following overview will explain the basics, helping you better understand how the FRSA protects you and other workers in the railroad industry.

Massachusetts has enacted legislation which makes it illegal for employers to fire an employee under certain circumstances, including discrimination and whistleblowing. If you have been involved in a wrongful termination case in Massachusetts, you may be able to receive both economic and non-economic damages if you file a lawsuit against your employer. An experienced employment law attorney can help you with a claim for breach of wrongful termination law. 

Both federal and state employment laws protect the rights of employees in workplaces throughout the U.S. However, the nature of work and the workplace is changing.

Remote and hybrid work arrangements are becoming increasingly common. Surveys and studies indicate this trend is likely to continue. Thus, you may wonder when an employment law does and doesn’t apply to remote workers.

Federal Laws That Apply To Remote Employees

Virtually any federal law guaranteeing certain employee protections will apply to remote employees. Examples of such laws include:

Have you experienced workplace discrimination? If so, you may pursue legal action by filing a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Technically, your attorney may file a charge of discrimination on your behalf if you’ve hired one. This is one of many tasks a lawyer can handle if you enlist their help.

California has some of the nation’s most worker-friendly labor laws. The following overview covers some of the ways those laws are changing and expanding in 2024.

Workers in California should be aware of these changes. If a worker doesn’t know how the law has expanded, it may be easier for an employer to take advantage of them.

That doesn’t need to happen. If you suspect an employer has broken the law, consider speaking with a California employment law attorney to discuss legal remedies.

New York is an at-will employment state. This means that most employers can, with some notable exceptions, fire their employees whenever they want to do so without giving a reason. Employees who wish to leave employment also do not need to give a reason.

New York State boasts some of the most robust employment laws in the nation. New York employment laws are also constantly changing.

Workers should familiarize themselves with New York employment law changes coming in 2024. Understanding your rights is key to understanding when someone has violated them.