Helping Kansas City Residents Fight Employment Law-Related Issues

Good employers will implement measures to ensure that their employees are taken care of. If an employee reports discrimination or complains about sexual harassment or discrimination involving race, disability, age or religion, an employer should follow the necessary steps to properly handle the situation. Unfortunately, many employers do not play by the rules and employees suffer, perhaps even being wrongfully demoted or terminated.

At Carter Law Offices, we stand up for employees’ rights. Our law firm represents individuals in employment law claims from our offices in Kansas City, Missouri. At our firm, we side only with the employee — never with large companies or organizations.

If you’ve faced discrimination in the workplace or been fired without cause, call 816-283-3500 today for a free consultation with an experienced Kansas City employment lawyer.

Experienced In A Wide Range Of Employment Law Issues

Our experienced attorneys are ready to advocate on your behalf if you believe you have been fired or treated wrongly in the following situations:

• Discrimination: If you have experienced unlawful bias in pay or wrongful termination, we will stand up for your rights. For more information on what constitutes discrimination, visit the EEOC’s website.
• Retaliation: If you have been retaliated against for complaining about sexual harassment or discrimination or reporting fraud or illegal activity, you have been treated unlawfully and you may be able to sue.
• Whistleblower: Those who report or refuse to go along with illegal activity such as waste, abuse or fraud may qualify for whistleblower protection. Learn more about whistleblower protections on OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection page.
• Sex discrimination: If you have been wrongfully terminated or suffered a downgrade in working hours or pay because of your sex, you may be entitled to compensation. More resources can be found at the National Women’s Law Center.
• Disability discrimination: Companies can be found liable when they discriminate because of disability. Also, companies must provide reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities. If disability discrimination occurs, you may have a lawsuit.
• Racial discrimination: If you are experiencing racial harassment or discrimination in the workplace, our firm will protect your rights.
• Pregnancy discrimination: Federal laws protect mothers. If you have returned to work after maternity leave to find that your job has been filled or is not needed, you may be able to file a claim.
• Sexual harassment: If you have been subjected to sexual harassment or retaliated against for complaining about sexual harassment, our firm will fight for your rights.
• Hostile work environment: You do not have to suffer through working in an environment made hostile on account of your race, disability, age or religion or because of complaining about discrimination or other unlawful conduct. Talk to an attorney from our firm about ways to correct the situation and laws that protect your rights as an employee.
• Unpaid overtime: Federal and state laws require companies to pay overtime to hourly employees. If you have been treated unfairly or have not been paid for your overtime hours, we can help.
• Off-the-clock pay: Whether you are at work or off-site, if you perform work for your employer, you must be paid for it. We can help you get compensation for off-the-clock pay.
• Meal and rest breaks: There are no laws requiring you to work during a meal or rest break, so you may be entitled to pay if you have been forced to work or your employer refuses to pay you for work performed during breaks.
• Shareholder disputes: We represent employees who have become co-owners in the business where they work. These cases often involve a minority shareholder not being treated fairly by someone else who is in greater control. If you have been fired or shut out of the business, we will fight for your rights.

Aggressive Advocacy For Victims Of Gender-Based Employment Discrimination

Even though women make up a larger percentage of the workforce than ever before, they are still victims of illegal discrimination in the workplace. Discrimination can take many forms, including wrongful termination, sexual harassment and failure to receive promotions or pay raises based on the worker’s sex.

In almost all discrimination claims, employers will not admit to discriminating against an employee on the basis of sex. Employers will typically have some kind of excuse at the ready to justify firing, demoting or taking some kind of adverse action against an employee. Our job as your lawyer is to demonstrate the weakness of the employer’s claims. We will unearth all available evidence of discrimination to help you get the money damages you are entitled to under the law. Damages for employment discrimination can include reinstatement, back pay, front pay and emotional distress. You may be entitled to punitive damages as well. Our aggressive, determined approach has led to successful results in both settlement negotiations and litigation.

Workplace Retaliation: Know Your Rights and Legal Options

We see it time and time again. An employee complains to his or her employer about some kind of illegal action. Maybe an employee brings a complaint about discrimination in the workplace. Perhaps an employee is suffering from sexual harassment. Unfortunately, instead of investigating the complaint and doing something about it, the employer turns on the employee who makes the complaint, perhaps even firing the employee. Retaliating against an employee for reporting illegal conduct to his or her employer is illegal.

We often bring retaliation claims along with discrimination, sexual harassment and other claims against an employer. To win a retaliation claim, you must prove that you suffered some kind of adverse action as a result of the complaint, whether it was termination, demotion or another action.

Frequently Asked Questions About Employment Law

At Carter Law Offices, we understand that this is a time of great uncertainty in your life. Here are the answers to some common questions:

What types of discrimination cases do you handle?

At Carter Law Offices, we handle all manner of discrimination claims, including age, disability, pregnancy, gender and racial discrimination, among others. Whether you have suffered a hostile work environment, a constructive dismissal or retaliation for whistleblowing or exercising your legal rights, we can help.

What should I do if I believe I am experiencing discrimination at work?

Document everything and keep as many records as possible. If applicable, take photos of items meant to harass you left on your desk, at your workstation or in your locker. Note what was said, who was present and what happened during any incident. Report the discrimination through your company’s established complaint process to see if it is properly addressed. If your employer fails to act appropriately, you can then reach out to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and an experienced employment law attorney to further explore your options.

How do I know if I have a valid employment law claim?

State and federal employment laws can be complicated and nuanced. The only real way to know if you have a valid claim is to take the issue and any documentation you have to an experienced employment law attorney. That is one reason we offer free case evaluations to our Kansas City clients. You should not have to engage in guesswork when your livelihood is on the line.

What is the process for filing an employment law claim?

Typically, you need to first file your complaint with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR), detailing the issues and providing all relevant information and supporting documentation. You may also need to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). You will likely obtain the best results by working with an employment attorney from the beginning, since that is the best way to make sure that your claim is clearly presented.

Contact Our Experienced Employment Law Attorney Today

If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated from your job or demoted due to discrimination or harassment, schedule a free consultation with an employment lawyer by calling Carter Law Offices at 816-283-3500.