Labor & Employment

The attorneys at Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison regularly represent labor unions and employees in disputes with their employers. If you are experiencing any problems at work described below, we have the experience and expertise to help you fight back.

$425

Union workers make, on average, $425 more per week than comparable workers without a union.

79% vs. 49%

79% of union workers have employer provided health insurance, but only 49% of non union workers have this important benefit.

12 Weeks

The number of weeks eligible employees are entitled to take off for qualifying medical conditions under the Family Medical Leave Act.

Family Medical Leave: Most employees are entitled to receive up to 12 weeks of family medical leave per year for valid personal or medical issues, including maternity leave. As a result, most employers cannot fire an employee while he or she is away from work on medical leave, and most employers cannot fire or discriminate against employees because they choose to take medical leave.     

 

Wage Disputes: Employers are required to pay most of their employees for all hours worked, including overtime. However, many employers do not pay their employees properly. For more information, click here.

 

Whistleblowers and Wrongful Termination: Employers are prohibited from firing employees who inform their employer or the government of illegal activities taking place within the employer’s business. For more information, click here. 

 

Discrimination and Harassment: Federal and state law prevents employers from discriminating against employees and job applicants based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, national origin, genetic material, and more.

 

Severance Issues: We regularly represent employees in severance negotiations with their employers. If your employment is ending (voluntarily or involuntarily), we will meet with you to discuss your options, advise you, and negotiate on your behalf if appropriate.

 

Background Checks: Employers cannot terminate employees or refuse to hire applicants because of inaccurate background reports. Additionally, employers cannot use background reports on job applicants or employees without clearly disclosing that they are doing so.

FURTHER READING

Noel v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville

25 Dec, 2022
Our firm represented over 900 Metro Nashville correctional officers in a combined Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) collective action and Rule 23 unjust enrichment class action. After more than four years of litigation, culminating in a successful jury trial on the class action claims, our firm secured a $2.1 million settlement for the class. Correctional officers filed the case in May 2011 when they realized that their pay stubs did not add up. After meeting with our firm, the correctional officers chose to band together and protect their rights to be paid fairly and lawfully. In this case, we alleged that Metro Nashville had violated the workers’ rights in two ways. First, they were paid at lower hourly rates than those that had been set by the Mayor and Metro Council in the Metro Pay Plan. Second, the correctional officers were required to work beyond their scheduled paid shifts without pay. After a weeklong trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the correctional officers, finding that Metro had been unjustly enriched. After trial, our firm successfully negotiated a $2.1 million recovery for the class, a record for Metro Nashville settlements according to the Tennessean . To learn more about our Labor & Employment practice group, click here .
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