What types of cases do our employment law attorneys handle?

Whether you need a wrongful termination attorney or a lawyer who represents employees suffering wage discrimination, Bachus & Schanker has the experience you need to hold employers accountable for their actions. Our legal services cover claims involving:

• Discrimination
• Sexual harassment
• Wage disputes
• Wrongful termination
• Employment contract breaches
• Unlawful hiring practices
• Workers’ compensation

What constitutes wrongful termination in Fort Collins, CO?

Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires a worker for an unlawful reason. Under Colorado law, you may not terminate employment due to a protected category, including race, age, gender, religion, or disability. Also, an employer cannot fire a worker to retaliate against that person for exercising their legal rights.

While most employment relationships in Colorado are considered “at-will” positions, it doesn’t mean an employer can fire you for discriminatory reasons. They can, however, terminate your employment without giving a reason or warning.

Contact our team today if you believe you were fired because of your background, sex, or other protected class. You may qualify to bring a wrongful termination case and claim compensation for your losses and suffering.

What are examples of workplace harassment?

No employee should have to deal with harassment in the workplace when trying to make a living. Sadly, many employees still suffer workplace harassment in Colorado. If you’re unsure if the behavior towards you is unlawful, here are some common types of harassment in the workplace:

• Sexual harassment – Unwanted physical contact, implied physical contact, offensive gestures, inappropriate comments, and any other sexual conduct in the workplace
• Racial harassment – Offensive remarks, derogatory slurs, hurtful language, and behavior based on race
• Gender identification/sexual orientation – Inappropriate comments or treatment due to a person’s sexual orientation or gender identification, which are protected categories
• Ageism – Demeaning remarks, comments, or physical actions based on a person’s age
• Disability harassment – Derogatory language or behavior against a person with physical or mental disabilities

If you feel threatened or unsafe in your workplace, speak with an employment attorney who focuses on practice areas involving employee rights in Colorado. Harassment may be grounds to take legal action against your employer.

Are there laws protecting employees in Fort Collins?

Several state and federal laws protect Fort Collins employees from harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, and retaliation in the workplace.

The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act

The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) ensures that protected classes of people can work without fear of discrimination based on their:

• Race
• National origin
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity
• Age
• Religion or creed
• Disability

CADA also makes it unlawful to retaliate against a worker for reporting discrimination or helping another victim of discrimination

The Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act

According to the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, wage discrimination based on a protected category is illegal. If workers perform “substantially similar work,”  employers must pay them equal wages. However, wage rates may differ if there is a system that applies to all workers, such as:

• A seniority system
• A merit system
• Quality or quantity measurement system
• Wages based on geographic location
• Wages based on education, training, or experience

Colorado Overtime & Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order

The COMPS Order states the rules on minimum wage rates, overtime pay, and mandatory breaks. According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, employers must provide the following to their employees:

• Overtime pay for work over 40 hours per week or 12 hours per day
• Paid 10-minute breaks for every 4 hours worked
• 30-minute uninterrupted meal breaks for employees working 5 hours or more

Colorado Overtime & Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order

Here are other employment laws in Colorado that can help you understand your rights as an employee in Fort Collins, Colorado:

• Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA)
• The Colorado Consumer Credit Reporting Act (CCCRA)
• Colorado’s Employment Opportunity Act
• The Colorado Chance to Compete Act

What are the illegal ways employers retaliate against an employee?

When a worker enforces their rights or helps another employee experiencing workplace discrimination or harassment, they can do so without fear of retaliation. According to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws, employers cannot take the following actions in response to “whistleblowing” or asserting employee rights:

• Employment termination
• Reprimanding the employee
• Unfair performance evaluations
• Transferring an employee to a different location
• Harassment, threats, or physical abuse
• Increased workload without higher pay

Do companies have to pay for training in Colorado Springs, CO?

Colorado employers are required to pay for training when an employee is learning how to perform their job duties unless all of the following categories are met:

• A meeting or seminar is outside of regular working hours
• Attendance of the seminar or lecture is entirely voluntary
• The meeting or lecture is not directly related to the job
• The employee does not perform productive work while in attendance of the training or seminar

Is Colorado a right-to-work state?

Colorado has a modified right-to-work law and the most progressive labor law in the nation. According to Colorado’s Labor Peace Act, the state does not require employees to join a union or pay union dues. However, they must have the same pay and benefits as union members. Union members get additional protections, including legal representation. Employees can vote to unionize, but they need 75% of workers to move forward.

Need an employment lawyer in Colorado?

If you were sexually harassed, discriminated against, or suffered workplace abuse in Fort Collins, our employment lawyers can help you take control and get your life back. Contact our wrongful termination lawyers today to schedule a no-obligation case evaluation.
Our employment law attorneys help workplace discrimination victims across the state, including Colorado Springs, Larimer County, Northern Colorado, and Denver, Colorado.

SOURCES:

Colorado Labor Peace Act. (2022).

Colorado Overtime & Minimum Pay Standards Order (COMPS Order) #38. (2022).

Meeting, Training, and Lecture Time – FLSA Hours Worked. (2022).

Modified Right-to-Work Law. (2022).

Facts About Retaliation. (2022).

Regulatory Information. (2022).

SB19-085

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