It can be very uncomfortable dealing with work disputes, especially legal ones. When you work somewhere, you build relationships with your co-workers and employers. Having to take action against them can be difficult.
This article will outline how to handle work disputes properly:
Employment Law
It’s always good to know what your rights are under employment law. Knowing your rights can make settling disputes much easier. The specialist Gold Coast employment lawyers from Attwood Marshall say that if you have experienced mistreatment on the job, that a lawyer can help you to understand your rights and entitlements. If you feel that you have been mistreated at work, then you should definitely contact a lawyer.
Most lawyers who deal with employment law work on a no-win-no-fee basis. This essentially means that you can receive legal representation without having to pay upfront. The employment solicitors will take their fee from the settlement issued by your employer.
Disciplinary Proceedings
If your employer feels that your performance or behavior in the workplace is unsatisfactory, then they may take disciplinary proceedings against you. When an employer does take disciplinary proceedings, there are strict procedures that they have to adhere to in order to treat you fairly.
If you’re facing disciplinary proceedings, then it’s important that you contact a glendale employment lawyer, or a lawyer in your specific location. If you do not want to contact a lawyer, then you should conduct thorough research into them so that you know your rights. You should also check your company’s specific disciplinary procedure.
Grievances
If you have an issue at work that you do not feel has been dealt with to a satisfactory degree informally, then you can raise a grievance with your employer. Grievances are formal complaints that your employer has to investigate fairly. Grievances can be raised for the behavior of other co-workers, discrimination, an unfair workload, or for any other problem that you have in the workplace.
Discrimination
It is completely illegal, especially in today’s political climate, for an employer to discriminate against you or a co-worker at work. Discrimination can be characterized as less favorable treatment due to your protected characteristics.
If you feel that an employer has discriminated against you, it’s important that you seek legal advice. If your employer has dismissed you because of your protected characteristics, then you might be able to receive a large amount of compensation. Discrimination is unacceptable.
Health and Safety
It’s your employer’s duty to make sure that you are safe at work. Any risks should be minimized. Health and safety law covers many different types of hazards. Every employee should be able to feel safe at work. If your employer does not minimize risks and instead ignores them, then you will be able to take legal action against them. If you are hurt as a result of their negligence, then you will be able to make a compensation claim against them. Personal injury claims at work are very common.
Professionalism
When you’re handling a dispute at work, it’s important to always behave professionally, even if you feel insulted. You shouldn’t react angrily. Whatever your grievance is, go through the proper channels and be as professional and mature as possible.
If you react aggressively, then your employer may be able to turn the dispute in their favor. If you’re in the right in a dispute, then prove it through professionalism and maturity.
Honesty
When you are disputing something at work, it’s important that you are honest. Disputes at work can quickly become legal matters. If you are dishonest, you can find yourself in a lot of trouble. You might also have your claim dismissed.
It’s easy to embellish, exaggerate, and even misremember things. Be as meticulous as you can in recalling the incident so that your honesty is not called into question. If you begin lying, there’s a strong chance that the case will end in your employer’s favor.
Evidence
Evidence is very important when it comes to disputes with employers. Get into the habit of meticulously recording things, whether on paper or on video. Employers might lie to cover themselves. Your colleagues might do the same. If you see something happening that isn’t right don’t hesitate to begin recording it on your phone. If you feel uncomfortable in a conversation, then taking an audio recording is sensible.
Witnesses are unlikely to come forward when you are disputing something with an employer. The reason for this is that by going against your employer, their job could be at risk. This is all the more reason to gather your own evidence.
When you’re handling a work dispute, it’s important that you handle it the right way. If you’ve got no experience in work disputes, then look no further than this article. You should also contact a lawyer.
