Employment Law
Understanding Your Rights in the Workplace
If you are employed under a written contract, which includes most union members, then the ability to reduce or terminate your employment is governed by that contract. Most members of our community are considered "at will" employees. With few exceptions, "at will" employees can be terminated for any reason or for no reason.
In exchange, the state of Wisconsin has created an all-employers fund - Unemployment Compensation. The payments available upon termination are designed to provide necessary assistance while looking for new employment. For this reason, the circumstances under which you can be denied benefits after termination are very limited. If you are terminated and denied Unemployment Compensation, you need legal advice to identify your options.
Also, both the Federal Government and the State of Wisconsin prohibit employment practices that discriminate against workers. In Wisconsin, a person may not be discriminated against in the workplace for any of the following reasons:
- Race
- Color
- National Origin
- Ancestry
- Creed
- Age
- Sex
- Disability
- Marital Status
- Sexual Preference
- Arrest or Conviction Record
- Use or Nonuse of Lawful Products Outside the Workplace
If you or a loved one has been the victim of discrimination in the workplace, let the staff at Curis Law Office provide the guidance and assistance necessary to stop those behaviors. Intolerance and impediments in the workplace stifles the heart of our community.
Numerous rules and regulations also exist in an attempt to improve the conditions of Wisconsin's workers and their families. If you have questions regarding compensation, hours of work, the Family Medical Leave Act or most other employment-related matters, Curtis Law Office is available to provide advice and assistance.