Although state and federal laws prohibit employers from discriminating against employees with a disability, injury, or medical condition, these employees are often the target of discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

At Caryn Groedel & Associates Co., LPA, we protect the rights of employees in Ohio and many other states who are being mistreated in the workplace because of their disability or because their employer treats them as being disabled. Our attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience in employment law. We will go the extra mile to ensure that your rights and interests are protected.

Cleveland Handicap and FMLA Discrimination Attorneys

Several laws protect injured, ill, and disabled workers from discrimination in the workplace, including the Ohio Revised Code, the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (“AADA”), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”). If your employer fails to make a reasonable accommodation for your disability, retaliates against you for taking time to care for yourself or an immediate family member, requires you to work outside of your medical restrictions, wrongfully terminates your employment, or otherwise discriminates against you due to your disability or health related need for time off, you may be able to pursue a claim against your employer.

Our Cleveland disability and FMLA discrimination attorneys represent clients with a wide range of medical conditions, from cancer to work-related injuries. When you come to us for legal advice, counsel or representation, we will take the time to address your concerns and explain your legal rights and in simple understandable terms.

We will explore all avenues for justice in your case, including Ohio law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (AADA), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). We have an outstanding track record, and we have the experience needed to prevail in your case.

Contact Us Today

To schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers, call 440-544-1122 or contact us on-line.

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Even though state and federal laws prohibit employer from discriminating against employee based on race or national origin, race-based discrimination and harassment still exist in many workplaces today.

Caryn Groedel & Associates Co., LPA, stands up for the rights of employees throughout Ohio in many other states (Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Kansas) who been subjected to such treatment. With more than 40 years of legal combined experience, our lawyers will work hard to resolve your employment issues.

Cleveland Harassment Attorneys

Race discrimination and harassment in the workplace can take many forms, including being disciplined for violating a policy that was not applied to non-minority employees, passed over for a promotion in favor a non-minority employee, being wrongfully terminated and/or being subjected to unwanted/unwelcome jokes or gestures based on your race.

Reaching out to an attorney for help with an employment matter can be difficult. You may fear facing retaliation from your employer, or perhaps even losing your job. When you come to our office for legal advice, counsel, or representation, we will take the time to discuss your concerns and explain your legal rights in easy-to-understand terms.

Our Cleveland race and national origin discrimination attorneys have a deep understanding of the numerous state and federal employment laws that may apply in your situation, including Ohio state law and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. We think creatively in developing legal strategies tailored to the unique facts of our client’s particular employment situation. Because our attorneys think outside of the box, we are often able to successfully handle challenging cases that other attorneys have rejected. As skilled trial lawyers, we are not in a hurry to “settle” our clients’ legal claims. We look forward to vindicating the rights of our client at trial — in a court of law.

Contact Us Today

To schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers, call 440-544-1122 or contact us on-line.

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Even though it is unlawful, gender discrimination is an unfortunate reality in many workplaces. Many employees are treated worse, or paid less, than their opposite sex co-workers, based on their gender.

In fact, many employers still maintain the “good old boys club” culture and mentality, making it difficult for women to advance into supervisory, management, or executive-level positions. Although women have historically been the most frequent target of gender discrimination, men are not immune to discrimination by women who have obtained positions of power. If you are a woman who has hit the glass ceiling, or a man who has been terminated or denied a job promotion, or transfer due of your gender, our attorneys are here to help you.

Other types of gender-related discrimination include:

• discrimination based on pregnancy
• discrimination based on family status
• discrimination based on having children, especially young children
• discrimination based on being of child-bearing age

If you have experienced any of such of mistreatment at your job, you may have the right to bring a lawsuit against your employer.

At Caryn Groedel & Associates Co., LPA, in Cleveland, Ohio, we aggressively advocate for male and female employees throughout Ohio, as well as many other states, including Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, who have been paid less, treated worse, denied promotions, or wrongfully terminated based on their gender or for a gender-based reason (such as pregnancy). With more than 40 years of combined legal experience in employment law, our attorneys go the extra mile to ensure that our clients’ rights are protected.

Cleveland Sexual Harassment Attorneys

It is also unlawful under state and federal laws for employers to allow their employees, especially supervisors and managers, to harass employees based on the employee’s age, race, gender, religion, national origin, or disability. However, many employers continue to allow this type of workplace environment to exist.

Harassment need not be blatant; it can be subtle, such as:

•  unwanted and unwelcome age, sex, or race-related jokes, comments, names, or gestures
• unwanted touching or invitations
• the dissemination of sexually explicit or race-related emails or other documents
• making age, sex or race-related stereotypical references
• comments or asking questions regarding physical appearance or body type
• describing employees using sexual or race-related terms
• religion-based jokes or comments
• pregnancy-related jokes or comments
• wrongful termination
• retaliation

Also, while many plaintiffs’ attorneys shy away from litigation, our harassment attorneys do not. We look at litigation and trials as a way for our clients to stand up for themselves with our assistance, to right the wrongs to which they have been subjected, and to get closure. We are passionate about our work, committed to fighting for fairness and equality in the workplace, and in so doing, helping other employees in those work places receive better treatment.

Contact Us Today

To schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers, call 440-544-1122 or contact us on-line.

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Pregnancy and motherhood should be wonderful and exciting. Recognizing the need for protection our legislative has enacted laws that require employer to make women to take time off from work for maternity leave or bed rest allow for high risk pregnancies. Large and mid-sized employers must allow mothers to return to the same or a similar position. Employers are also required to provide women with ample breaks and a private place for expressing (pumping) breast milk also (known as “lactating”). Despite these laws, some employers continue to discriminate against women based on pregnancy, their need for pregnancy or maternity leave, or their desire to express milk upon their return to work. This type of discrimination can take many forms, including lay-off, demotion, a heavier workload, termination for fabricated reasons, or refused ample breaks or a private place to express breast milk.

If you were subjected to discrimination once your employer learned that you were pregnant, for taking time off to have your baby, for being on bed rest for a high risk pregnancy, or for wanting to express (pump) breast milk upon your return to work, you may have one or more viable claims against your employer.

We at Caryn Groedel & Associates Co., LPA, believe that women should not have to choose between being a mom, having a family, and their job. Our lawyers advocate passionately for pregnant women who are discriminated against when they become pregnant, when they, or when they need to take leave for having a high risk pregnancies, wish to pump breast milk upon their return to work. With more than 40 years of combined legal experience, we are well-versed in all of the laws that may protect women in these situations, including Ohio state law, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

When you come to us for legal advice, counsel, or to representation, we will take the time to discuss your concerns and explain your legal rights in easy-to-understand terms.

Our attorneys will fight hard to protect your rights. We are experienced trial attorneys who enjoy the challenges of litigation. You can count on us to work tirelessly in your quest for justice.

Contact Us Today

To schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers, call 440-544-1122 or contact us on-line.

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Sexual harassment can be as straightforward as supervisor’s request for sexual favors in exchange for promotion or raise, or it can be as subtle as employees discussing their sex lives or making lewd jokes. Regardless of the circumstances, victims of sexual harassment often harbor feelings of shame and fear of retaliation or because they believe they might have done something to cause the harassment.

At Caryn Groedel & Associates Co., LPA, we provide compassionate guidance to employees throughout Ohio and in many states (Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Kansas) who have been subjected to sexual harassment or a hostile work environment. As your trusted advocates, we will work tirelessly to resolve your employment concerns.

There are certain steps that you may need to take in order to protect your rights, including reporting the harassment to your employer. Our lawyers will guide you through the process. Call 440-544-1122 to speak with one of our sexual harassment attorneys.

Cleveland Hostile Work Environment Attorneys

Sexual harassment can affect both men and women, and may include unwelcome sexual advances, demands for sexual favors, inappropriate touching or groping, sexually suggestive language, exposure to sexually explicit material through jokes or e-mail, and an employer’s failure to take appropriate action to stop the harassment. If the conduct is severe or pervasive, it may constitute a hostile work environment.

If you have been sexually harassed at work, reaching out for an attorney’s help may be difficult. We know it is not easy to describe what you have endured. However, you do not have to go through this alone. When you come to us for legal advice, counsel, or representation, we will take the time to listen to you, answer your questions, address your concerns, and explain your legal rights and remedies in easy-to-understand terms.

While some plaintiff attorneys avoid taking cases to trial we enjoy the challenges of trials. We are experienced litigators committed to helping you regain your dignity and claim your rights.

Contact Us Today

To schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers, call 440-544-1122 or contact us on-line.

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Are you paid on a salary basis, but believe you should be paid on an hourly basis? Are you working overtime, but not being paid time and a half for your overtime hours? Has your employer asked you to work through your lunch break? Have you been instructed by your employer to refrain from noting on your time card that you worked overtime? If you answer yes to any of these questions, your employer may be in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

At Caryn Groedel & Associates Co., LPA, we stand up for employees who are not being paid the wages to which they are legally entitled. For these types of wage and hour violations, we represent employees in both individual and class actions. With more than 40 years of combined legal experience in employment law, our attorneys have the knowledge and skill to help you collect your back pay and other damages to which you may be entitled.

Cleveland Fair Labor Standards Act Attorneys

There are many ways in which employers may violate wage and hour laws, including:

• Misclassifying employees as exempt or non-exempt
• Paying wages as independent contractors instead of as employees
• Requiring employees to work through lunch breaks without pay
• Not paying employees overtime wages for hours worked in excess of 40 per work week
• Withholding paychecks
• Withholding bonuses or commissions

If you have experienced any of these unfair pay practices, it is important to contact an experienced employment lawyer.

Our Cleveland wage and hour attorneys will represent you in a professional and dedicated manner. In fact, we are known for successfully resolving or litigating employment matters that other lawyers have rejected. Because we think outside the box, we are able to identify creative solutions that other attorneys may not have considered.

Contact Us Today

To schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers, call 440-544-1122 or contact us on-line.

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Ohio is an at-will employment state, which means that unless you have an employment contract, or are a member of a union, your employer promised to employ you for a certain length of time, you can be disciplined, fired or laid off at any time, for any reason, except an unlawful reason, such as your age, race, disability, or pregnancy, gender, family status, national origin or religion or in retaliation for reporting illegal conduct.

From our office in an eastern suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, the attorneys at Caryn Groedel & Associates Co., LPA, help people throughout northeast Ohio who have been wrongfully terminated. With more than 50 years of combined experience, our Cleveland wrongful termination attorneys have a reputation for identifying and developing creative solutions to our clients’ most challenging employment law issues. We will go the extra mile to help you achieve your legal goals and obtain justice.

If you have been terminated, you may be feeling ashamed, confused and unsure of your rights. Our lawyers will take the time to understand and address your concerns, answer your questions and determine if you have a viable claim against your employer.

You may have a wrongful termination claim if you have been disciplined or terminated due to:

• Age discrimination or harassment
• Disability/handicap discrimination or harassment
• Race discrimination or harassment
• Gender discrimination or harassment
• Pregnancy discrimination or harassment
• Retaliation
• Reporting illegal conduct
• Being a whistleblower

If you experienced sexual harassment at work and the environment became so hostile that you felt compelled to resign/quit, you may have a wrongful termination/constructive discharge claim. Contact us to discuss your legal rights.

Contact Us Today

To schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers, call 440-544-1122 or contact us on-line.

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Although state and federal laws prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who engage in protected activity such as reporting discrimination or illegal activity, taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), or filing a workers’ compensation claim, such retaliation still exists in many workplaces today, and can take the form of a wrongful termination, discipline, lost promotions, other employment opportunities, and/or harassment.

At Caryn Groedel & Associates Co., LPA, our attorneys are aggressive advocates for employees throughout Ohio (Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Kansas) who have been subjected to retaliation. With more than 40 years of combined legal experience, our lawyers are zealous advocates for equality and fairness in the workplace.

If you have been discriminated, demoted, terminated, or harassed because you participated in a protected activity, you may be able to bring a retaliation claim against your employer. Examples of protected activities include:

• Filing a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC)
• Reporting discrimination or harassment to your employer
• Taking medical or pregnancy leave under the FMLA
• Exercising your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Filing a workers’ compensation claim
• Reporting illegal or dangerous activities to a regulatory agency

We understand that reaching out to an attorney for help with an employment matter may be difficult. When you come to us for legal advice, counsel, or representation, our attorneys will take the time to discuss your concerns and explain all of your legal rights in easy-to-understand terms. From the negotiation table to the courtroom, we will go the extra mile to ensure that your rights are protected and that your employer is held responsible for its actions.

Contact Us Today

To schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers, call 440-544-1122 or contact us on-line.

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Older workers bring a great deal of experience and knowledge to their jobs. However, despite their proven ability and commitment to their jobs, many employees over the age of 40 are finding themselves the victims “laid-off,”, “down-sized,” terminated, or “re-organized” out of their jobs. If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated, wrongfully disciplined, or passed over for a promotion because of your age, you may be able to pursue an age discrimination claim against your employer.

In today’s difficult economy, many employers are letting go of older, high-earning employees to cut costs. Though it is not against the law for employers to terminate or lay-off employees because they are highly paid, when a large percentage of the terminated or laid off employees are over the age of 40, age may have been a factor in the decision.

If you are 40 or older and have been laid off due to a reorganization, passed over for a promotion that was given to a younger, lesser qualified employee, or your employer has suddenly imposed an education or physical requirement that you cannot meet, our experienced Cleveland age discrimination attorneys can determine if you have a viable claim.

We understand that making the decision to reach out for legal assistance with respect to your employment situation is not easy. When you come to our office for legal advice, counsel, or representation, we will take the time to address your concerns and explain your legal rights and options in simple understandable terms.

The attorneys at Caryn Groedel & Associates Co., LPA, stand up for the rights of employees who have been subjected to discrimination and/or harassed because of their age. Our lawyers bring more than 40 years of combined experience in employment law to your particular employment situation. We will work hard to ensure that your rights and interests are protected.

We will explore all avenues for justice in your case, including Ohio State law, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. We have an outstanding track record, and we have the experience needed to prevail in your case.

Contact Us Today

To schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers, call 440-544-1122 or contact us on-line.

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