Linwood Employment Law Attorneys

New Jersey firm represents businesses and workers in various types of cases

Employers and employees can face the possibility of unlawful activity in the workplace. Allegations of discrimination, sexual harassment, unpaid wages, and other employment law violations can be complex and highly contentious. Prudent employers look to avert trouble by implementing compliance programs, negotiating agreements with employees, and conducting thorough investigations when a potential problem exists. Whether you’re dealing with alleged misconduct or looking to prevent it, the guidance of an experienced employment lawyer can be essential. At Barker, Gelfand, James & Sarvas, P.C. in Linwood, we provide comprehensive counsel to workers and businesses in a wide array of employment law concerns. 

Workplace discrimination and harassment

Numerous federal laws and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination bar workplace bias against members of legally protected groups. In cases of alleged discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, disability status or another protected personal characteristic, our attorneys conduct a detailed investigation of the merits of the claim. We represent workers seeking relief from adverse job actions and we also provide employment lawsuit defense to companies accused of unlawful bias.

Wage and hour disputes

Employee wages can be the source of numerous types of disputes. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New Jersey laws mandate minimum wages and also higher rates for overtime hours worked. However, these rules contain certain exemptions. There are frequent conflicts about whether an employee is being misclassified to enable the business to pay lower wages and avoid overtime. At our firm, we give clients honest, practical counsel in wage and hour disputes, including situations involving required breaks and family or medical leave. 

Wrongful termination

In New Jersey, at-will employees can be terminated for any reason or for no reason. However, certain types of dismissals can give rise to wrongful termination claims. Firings based on discrimination against a member of a legally protected group are prohibited. An employer also cannot discharge a worker in retaliation for reporting misconduct or asserting their rights. Certain terminations might constitute a breach of a contractual agreement between the parties. For employers, these cases highlight the importance of maintaining detailed records regarding a worker’s performance in order to push back against wrongful termination allegations. Our firm represents businesses and employees in these matters. 

Employment agreements

The legal landscape is changing quickly as to the validity of non-compete agreements, which prevent a former employee from working for a competing business within a certain geographical area for a certain length of time. Whether you are negotiating the terms of this type of contract or have questions about the enforcement of an existing agreement, you should speak with a qualified attorney about the current law. We provide insightful, personalized counsel to parties relating to non-competes, non-disclosure agreements, and severance packages. 

Workplace investigations

Failing to conduct a proper investigation in response to an employee complaint can make a bad situation much worse. When employers or employees turn to us regarding an alleged workplace problem, we conduct thorough, objective reviews to assess whether legal liability exists. Even if there is not an immediate concern, our firm advises companies on ways to develop an internal compliance structure that includes training and the establishment of sound policies regarding the investigation of alleged misconduct. This allows employers to foster a positive workplace culture and address problematic issues effectively. 

Schedule a consultation with an experienced New Jersey employment lawyer

Barker, Gelfand, James & Sarvas, P.C. represents South Jersey clients in a wide range of employment law matters. To discuss your particular concern, please call 609-601-8677 or contact us online. Our main office is in Linwood and we meet with clients by appointment in our Pitman and Marlton satellite locations.