Key Employment Law Areas
Our employment attorneys have experience across a range of workplace disputes, including:
Employment Discrimination
Workplace discrimination may occur when an employee or job applicant is treated unlawfully because of a characteristic protected by law, such as:
- Race
- Religion
- Sex
- Age
- Disability
- National origin.
Discrimination can affect hiring, compensation, promotions, discipline, termination, and other aspects of employment.
Plakas Mannos represents employees pursuing employment discrimination claims as well as employers responding to allegations of discriminatory treatment.
Workplace Harassment and Sexual Harassment
Workplace harassment may become a legal concern when unwelcome conduct is connected to a legally protected characteristic and meets the applicable legal standards for an employment claim. Sexual harassment may involve unwelcome sexual conduct or other sex-based behavior in the workplace.
Our attorneys represent employees who allege workplace harassment and employers facing harassment or sexual harassment claims.
Workplace Retaliation
Workplace retaliation may occur when an employer takes prohibited adverse action against an employee for engaging in legally protected activity, such as reporting discrimination or harassment or participating in an investigation.
Plakas Mannos helps employees and employers evaluate the circumstances surrounding alleged retaliation and provides representation when those disputes lead to a claim.
Wrongful Discharge and Termination
Although Ohio generally follows the employment-at-will doctrine, some terminations may violate the law or give rise to a legal claim. Concerns may arise when an employee believes a termination was connected to discrimination, retaliation, or another legally prohibited reason.
Our employment attorneys can evaluate the circumstances surrounding a discharge and represent employees pursuing wrongful termination claims or employers defending their employment decisions.
Employment Contract Disputes
Employment agreements can create enforceable rights and responsibilities for both employees and employers. Disputes may arise over how the parties interpret an agreement, whether they fulfilled their obligations, or whether a contract was breached.
Plakas Mannos represents individuals and businesses in employment-related contract disputes, drawing on experience in both employment law and complex business litigation.
Employer Representation and Defense
Plakas Mannos advises Ohio employers on personnel decisions, disputes, reorganizations, and other employment matters that may create legal risk. Businesses can seek counsel before a claim arises or turn to our attorneys when they are already facing an employment dispute.
When a claim is made, our attorneys can evaluate the allegations, develop a defense strategy, and represent the employer through negotiations, administrative proceedings, or litigation.
Experience in Complex Employment Disputes
Because Plakas Mannos represents both employees and employers in employment disputes, we have unique insight into the strategies, arguments, and perspectives that may arise on either side of a claim. This helps us anticipate challenges and approach each matter from a broader perspective.
Our attorneys have experience before juries and government agencies and advise clients through personnel decisions, disputes, and reorganizations. When appropriate, we work toward resolving employment disputes without litigation. When a dispute cannot be resolved or settled, we have the experience to represent clients in court or before the appropriate administrative agency.
Ohio Employment Law FAQs
What qualifies as employment discrimination in Ohio?
Employment discrimination may occur when an employee or job applicant is treated unlawfully because of a characteristic protected by law. Depending on the circumstances, this can include discrimination based on race, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, and other protected characteristics.
Discrimination may affect hiring, firing, promotions, compensation, discipline, or other terms and conditions of employment.
What is workplace retaliation?
Workplace retaliation may occur when an employer takes prohibited adverse action against an employee because the employee engaged in legally protected activity. Examples may include reporting discrimination or harassment or participating in an investigation.
Not every negative employment action is unlawful retaliation. An employment attorney can evaluate the circumstances, including the protected activity, the employment action that followed, and the relationship between the two.
Can I be fired for reporting discrimination or harassment?
Employers generally cannot lawfully retaliate against an employee for making a protected report of discrimination or harassment. Whether a particular termination or other employment action constitutes unlawful retaliation, however, depends on the circumstances.
If you experienced an adverse employment action after reporting workplace discrimination or harassment, an attorney can help evaluate whether you may have a claim.
What should I do if I believe I was wrongfully terminated?
Preserve relevant employment records and communications and document the circumstances surrounding your termination. This may include emails, text messages, performance reviews, disciplinary notices, employment agreements, and a timeline of important events.
A termination that feels unfair is not necessarily unlawful. An Ohio employment lawyer can review the circumstances and help determine whether the termination may give rise to a legal claim.
When should a business contact an employment attorney?
A business should consider contacting an employment attorney when a personnel decision, employee complaint, contract dispute, discrimination or harassment allegation, reorganization, or other workplace matter presents potential legal concerns.
An attorney can provide guidance before a significant employment decision is made or help the business respond when a dispute or claim has already arisen.
Talk With an Ohio Employment Lawyer
Whether you are an employee facing a serious workplace issue or a business navigating an employment dispute, Plakas Mannos can help you understand your legal options and determine how to move forward.
Our employment litigation attorneys represent employees and employers throughout Ohio, including the Akron and Canton areas. Contact Plakas Mannos to discuss your circumstances with our employment law team.
