WORKPLACE/ EMPLOYMENT
Harassment & Discrimination • Sexual Harassment • Sex & Gender Discrimination • Bullying •
Pregnancy Discrimination • Family Responsibility • Sexual Orientation Discrimination •
Gender Identity Discrimination • Disability & Reasonable Accommodation •
Family Medical & Military Caregiver Leave • Wages, Overtime & Wage Payment Violations •
Professional, Management & Executive Counseling & Representation •
Retaliation • Unemployment
Tsamis Law Firm PC has successfully represented employees in a variety of matters involving workplace issues. We are aggressive but work intelligently to bring about the best result for you.
At the outset, we acknowledge that many employers treat their employees fairly and lawfully. Employers who violate employment and labor laws experience an unfair advantage over their competitors who follow the law. It is our firm’s philosophy to support the American values of competitive business and free market principles so long as employees are treated justly and lawfully.
Having worked as counsel for several large corporations, our managing partner, Betty Tsamis, is uniquely positioned to advocate for her clients. She has successfully settled numerous matters without litigation because of her unique understanding of how corporate HR and legal departments evaluate claims. She has practiced before the federal and state courts as well as numerous state and local agencies.
Most types of claims under the “umbrella” of employment law have strict time periods in which an aggrieved party must file a complaint. With many discrimination claims, the first step is to file a charge of discrimination with a local, state agency, or federal agency authorized to enforce the law. In most instances, the deadline to file is within 180 or 300 days of the date of the discrimination. Therefore, it is crucial to act quickly and seek competent legal advice when you suspect your workplace rights have been violated.
If your claim is successful you could be entitled to lost past wages, future wages, unpaid wages, compensation for emotional distress, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney fees and costs.
If you believe your rights in the workplace have been violated or are experiencing a problem at work, we are here to help. We represent employees in virtually every aspect of the employment relationship including but not limited to:
• Harassment & Discrimination
• Sexual Harassment
• Sex & Gender Discrimination
• Bullying
• Pregnancy Discrimination
• Family Responsibility
• Sexual Orientation Discrimination
• Gender Identity Discrimination
• Disability & Reasonable Accommodation
• Family Medical & Military Caregiver Leave
• Wages, Overtime and Wage Payment Violations
• Professional, Management & Executive Counseling and Representation
• Retaliation
• Unemployment
A few tips when you suspect your workplace rights have been violated:
- Because you will likely seek legal advice, keep notes that include a timeline of dates and details of meetings/events/occurrences that are relevant to your issue;
- Do not use company email or other company systems to communicate to anyone about your issue, including an attorney;
- If you belong to a union, you have the right to have a union representative present at any meeting where discipline is possible;
- Although it is understandable that you may want to assert your rights, do so in a manner that is professional and does not have the tendency to make you look badly later;
- Do not electronically record communications without the express written permission of all parties present;
- Do not consent to a recording of any statements, interviews, or other communications in which you are a party without first speaking to an attorney;
- Keep copies of all documents generated by you or provided to you by the company and/or your supervisor;
- If the company has not provided you with documents you believe you are entitled to, ask for copies;
- In Illinois, you have a right to review the contents of your personnel file and to obtain copies of the contents;
- Do not discuss your problem with your co-workers, friends, or others because what you say can later be used against you; and
- Do not sign anything without having an attorney review it first.