Colorado Springs: Employment Law Attorney
When you experience discrimination in the workplace, you need strong legal representation to advocate for your rights. You should never have to endure harassment, hostile work environments, or unfair treatment from your supervisors while trying to earn a living in Colorado.
Working with a Colorado Springs employment attorney can help you fight back if you’re the victim of wrongful employment practices.
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What types of employment law does our law firm practice?
The legal team at Bachus and Schanker fights for employee rights in Colorado Springs and throughout the state to help workers get fair treatment in the workplace. To hold employers accountable for their actions, we focus on legal claims involving:
- Wrongful termination claims
- Discrimination
- Unlawful hiring or firing practices
- Sexual harassment
- Wage discrimination
- Breach of employment contract
- Implied contract disputes
- Paid leave or sick leave disputes
Are there laws that protect employees in Colorado Springs?
Colorado has several state laws that protect Colorado Springs employees from discrimination and retaliation, including:
The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act
The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) states that it is unlawful for employers to discriminate or harass based on protected classes and characteristics such as:
- Race
- National origin
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Age
- Religion or creed
- Disability
In addition, CADA prohibits retaliation from employers against workers who report discrimination or help another person suffering unlawful treatment in the workplace.
The Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act
The Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act makes wage discrimination illegal when it applies to a protected class. Employers must pay workers equal wages for “substantially similar work.” The act also prohibits employers from asking for a wage history from work candidates before considering them for employment and firing, disciplining, or retaliating against employees who seek to enforce their rights established in this act.
Colorado Overtime & Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order
According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the COMPS Order sets forth the rules on minimum wage, overtime pay, breaks, and more. Essentially, the order requires employers to provide:
- 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 periods if working 5 hours or more
Other Essential Colorado Employment Laws
Additional employment laws, rules, ad regulations in Colorado include:
- 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 constitutes wrongful termination in Colorado Springs, CO?
According to Colorado law, wrongful termination occurs when employers fire an employee for unlawful reasons, including discrimination based on protected classes. An employer cannot wrongfully terminate you due to your race, sex, disability, pregnancy, or other categories protected under the law.
Most employer-employee relationships in Colorado fall into the “at-will” category, which means an employer can terminate your employment without warning or reason. However, if you believe you were fired from your position due to discrimination or retaliation for enforcing your rights, you may have a legal claim for compensation. Contact our Colorado wrongful termination attorneys to see if you qualify to file a lawsuit.
What are common examples of harassment in the workplace?
Harassment in the workplace is a violation of your rights. Unfortunately, it happens every day to thousands of people in the United States. The most common forms of workplace harassment include:
- Sexual harassment – Offensive comments and gestures, physical contact, request for sexual acts or favors, sharing pornographic images, and any other unwelcome sexual conduct.
- Disability harassment – Any demeaning remarks or insulting treatment of an employee based on physical or mental disabilities.
- Sexual orientation or gender identity harassment – Offensive or derogatory comments or treatment based on homosexuality, gender identification, or other protected sexual orientation category.
- Racial harassment – Race is a protected category under CADA. Derogatory or offensive racial remarks are considered harassment and grounds for legal action.
- Harassment based on age – Ageism is another common form of workplace harassment that includes hurtful and unfair comments based on a person’s age.
What are illegal ways employers may try to retaliate against an employee?
It is illegal for an employer to demote or fire an employee for reporting discrimination, harassment, or other unfair treatment in the workplace. Retaliation against a “whistleblower” is strictly prohibited under Colorado law and federal agency Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws. Employees can assert their rights without fear of:
- Termination
- Reprimand or punishment
- Unscheduled performance evaluation
- Transference to a less desirable location
- Harassment or any type of abuse
- Increase in workload without an increase in pay
- Negative treatment of family members
Do companies have to pay for training in Colorado Springs, CO?
Colorado employers must pay employees for any hours worked that involve performing their job duties, including training. However, training may be unpaid if it meets all of these categories:
- A meeting or seminar is outside of normal 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 attending the lecture, training, seminar, etc.
If you’re unsure if your training should be paid or not, contact our experienced employment lawyers to understand your wage rights.
Is Colorado a right-to-work state?
Colorado is a modified or hybrid right-to-work state. According to the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Colorado has the most progressive labor law of any state in the country. Colorado’s Labor Peace Act states that Colorado employees are not required to join a union or pay union dues but still have the same pay and benefits as union members. However, they will not have the same protections as union members.
Also, an organization can vote to unionize through two separate elections, each confirming that 75% of workers agree with the decision.
How can a Colorado labor lawyer help me?
If you’ve experienced discrimination, harassment, unfair treatment, wage disputes, or other employment law violations in Colorado Springs, our employment attorneys can help you get justice.
Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation on your wrongful termination case or other employment law case to see how much your claim may be worth. We’re ready to fight for your rights.
Sources:
Colorado Overtime & Minimum Pay Standards Order (COMPS Order) #38. (2022).
Facts About Retaliation. (2022)
Meeting, Training, and Lecture Time – FLSA Hours Worked. (2022).
Modified Right-to-Work Law. (2022).
Regulatory Information. (2022).
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Colorado Springs, CO 80903
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Written and Legally Reviewed By: Kyle Bachus
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,461 Google Reviews
Kyle is a member of the Colorado Bar associations and has served on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association for more than twenty years in total. Over the years, Kyle has achieved justice for many clients. He has served on numerous committees and repeatedly won recognition from his peers at both the state and national level. He is proud of the role he has played in the passage of state and national legislation to protect consumers and is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer.