Employment Law Lawyer in Palatine, IL
Common Myths About Employment Law
Employment law is quite complex and it can be difficult for many employees to know what their true rights are. Here are some common myths about employment law that you shouldn’t believe:
- Employers must have a good reason to fire an employee. This isn’t true. Like most states, Illinois is an at will state. That means that your employer can fire you for any reason, even if he or she simply does not like you. On the other hand, if an employer were to fire someone based on his or her age, gender, race, national origin or religion, it would be considered illegal.
- If you quit your job, you won’t be able to sue for wrongful termination. Believe it or not, this is not true. If you can prove that your employer knowingly created such a hostile work environment that you were forced to quit, you may still have a strong wrongful termination case on your hand. For instance, if you are a woman who works with mostly male employees who have made unwanted sexual advances toward you and your employer does nothing to stop it, you may be able to resign and still file a wrongful termination lawsuit.
- Discrimination and harassment are the same thing. Many people use the terms “harassment” and “discrimination” interchangeably. However, they’re not the same thing at all. Harassment occurs when an employee endures unwanted sexual advances in the workplace. Discrimination, however, happens when an employee is treated badly based on his or her protected characteristics, such as age, religion, national origin and race. If you have been facing sexual harassment or discrimination in the worplace, it is important to consult an employment law lawyer in Palatine, IL promptly.
- Sexual harassment laws soley protect women. Another common myth about employment law is that sexual harassment laws were created just to protect women. Although female employees are more likely to experience sexual harassment, it can happen to male employees as well. These laws are intended to protect all employees, regardless of gender.
- An employer can’t give you a bad reference. It can be disheartening to receive a bad reference from a past employer. However, that does not mean he or she did anything illegal. If your boss was not satisfied with your performance, there’s nothing to stop him or her from giving you a poor reference.
Schedule a meeting with an employment law lawyer in Palatine, IL at Bott & Associates, Ltd., today.