Denver Employment Law Attorney

Cases We Handle Under Colorado Employment Law

We handle all types of employer-employee disputes in Denver.

Workplace Discrimination

U.S. and Colorado employment laws protect workers from unequal treatment. The grounds for a discrimination claim can include:

• Race
• Color
• National origin, including primary language, ethnicity, and source of citizenship
• Religion
• Sex, including gender and sexual orientation
• Marital status
• Disability
• Old age

You can pursue claims for discrimination in any of the following terms or conditions of employment:

• Hiring and firing
• Pay and pay raises
• Promotions
• Training
• Discipline
• Referrals and references
• Assignments

Additionally, employers must make reasonable accommodations for religious practices — including religious holidays — pregnancy, breastfeeding, and physical or mental disabilities.

Hostile Work Environment

A hostile work environment exists where there is a persistent pattern of harassment against a worker or group of workers based on a protected classification. A common form of hostile work environment happens when a co-worker or supervisor persistently harasses a worker for an unwanted romantic or sexual relationship.

A related concept is quid pro quo sexual harassment. In this prohibited practice, an employer promises a job benefit or threatens to withhold a job benefit if you refuse a romantic or sexual relationship.

Disputes Over Pay And Hours Of Work

Employees often notice discrepancies in timecards and paychecks. The company usually remedies these disputes. You may have a wage and hour claim when it fails to resolve them promptly.

Wrongful Termination

Colorado is an at-will employment state, which means employers can usually terminate workers for any reason or no reason. However, wrongful termination occurs when an employer terminates a worker for a reason that violates the law or public policies. 

For example, you may have a claim if a restaurant fired you for reporting a health code violation.

How Denver Employment Lawyers Can Help

Since 1996, Bachus & Schanker has represented Denver workers in employment disputes. When you hire our employment lawyers in Denver, we provide the following services:

• Assessing your claims and evaluating all of your legal options
• Advising you of the benefits and possible drawbacks of each course of action
• Investigating your claims and gathering evidence
• Evaluating your damages and discussing your goals
• Hiring expert witnesses, if necessary, to support your case
• Filing complaints and lawsuits to pursue your goals
• Negotiating to resolve the case fairly and amicably
• Advocating for you before commissions, boards, and courts

We work tirelessly to recover what you lost so you can move forward with your life. 

Outcomes Possible In Colorado Employment Law Cases

Employment law cases can result in many forms of relief. We will discuss your goals early in the case to determine which outcome fits your situation.

Reinstatement

If your employer wrongfully terminated you and you want to return to your job, we can usually seek reinstatement without any loss of benefits or seniority. When you return, Colorado labor laws will usually prevent your employer from retaliating against you.

However, before choosing this option, you should discuss it with our employment lawyers. Denver employers can be unforgiving, and you should know what the law can and cannot do to protect you.

Pecuniary And Compensatory Damages

One of the goals of employment law cases is to put you in the financial position you would have achieved without your employer’s wrongful actions. You can pursue compensation for the losses you incurred due to your employer’s mistreatment, including:

• Back pay, including pay raises you should have received
• Lost benefits
• Value of lost training, promotions, and career advancement
• Out-of-pocket expenses, like job search costs
• Emotional harm
• Attorneys’ fees
• Expert witness fees
• Court costs

We will work with you to identify all your losses so we can pursue fair and just compensation for the financial impact of your employment dispute.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded for particularly egregious actions. The purpose of these damages is to punish the employer and deter other employers from following the same path. In many cases, this means the employer deliberately followed a plan to violate the law.

However, intentional harm is not the only grounds for punitive damages. Actions that affected many employees or were particularly harsh could also justify punitive damages. 

The legal standard for punitive damages requires clear and convincing proof that the employer acted maliciously or recklessly regarding its workers’ rights under U.S. and Colorado employment laws.

Injunction

We can pursue an injunction to prohibit the employer from engaging in its illegal practices. For example, if you were subject to a hostile work environment, a court could order the company to implement a training program to prevent future occurrences.

Contact an Experienced Denver Employment Lawyer

State and federal employment laws protect workers from certain forms of mistreatment by their Colorado employers. When you face unfair treatment, withheld pay, or wrongful termination, Bachus & Schanker represents you against your employer and stands ready to fight for you. 

Sources:

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 8-4-103.

Discrimination by Type.

Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Discrimination.

Related Employment Law Resources