Labor and Employment Attorneys Serving East Haven, Hamden and Connecticut State
Lawyers protecting the rights granted to workers under U.S. and Connecticut constitution and state and federal employment laws
Drawing on more than four decades of experience advocating for Connecticut workers, Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. delivers strong representation for labor unions representing employees of private businesses and government bodies. From offices in Hamden and East Haven, our attorneys have represented and achieved successful results for well over 100 public sector bargaining units, including school administrators, first responders, town hall, public works, state professionals and many other groups. We’re well-versed in the collective bargaining process as well as proceedings before the state’s Board of Labor Relations, Board of Mediation and Arbitration, Employee Review Board, and the American Arbitrations Association. In cases stemming from discrimination, wrongful terminations and other workplace misconduct, our firm gives people the legal support they need to fight back against current and former employers.
Firm represents victims of harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination
Taking on the business you work for can be intimidating, but we make sure clients are aware of their legal rights and battle on their behalf in cases involving:
- Sexual harassment — Most Connecticut employers now have to provide sexual harassment training to employees, but problems still persist. If you’ve been pressured by a supervisor to provide sexual attention in exchange for some type of workplace benefit, this is known as quid pro quo harassment and should be dealt with immediately. We gather the relevant information and seek legal relief in these cases as well as hostile work environment claims where an employee is victimized by offensive language, images or conduct.
- Unpaid overtime — Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and state law, employees are entitled to time-and-a-half for work hours that exceed 40 in a given week. Exemptions exist for certain workers, such as executive, professional and administrative employees. However, these definitions can be hazy and are frequently abused by businesses looking to underpay workers who deserve overtime. If you’ve been mistreated in this way, have been forced to skip required breaks or required to underreport your hours, our firm will help you seek the compensation you’ve earned.
- Wrongful termination — Though Connecticut’s “at will” employment rule allows companies to dismiss workers without providing a reason, a fired worker might be entitled to compensation if their termination violated the law or a contractual provision. For example, an employer cannot release an employee due to their race, sex, religion or other legally protected personal characteristic. Of course, employers usually try to hide when a dismissal is motivated by discrimination or retaliation for reporting workplace misconduct. Our wrongful termination lawyers thoroughly review the facts to counter false explanations given to cover for improper firings.
- Whistleblower litigation — Workers who report illegal behavior to a public body or exercise their legal rights should not face punishment from their employers. If you believe you were fired, demoted or suffered some other adverse action because you acted as a whistleblower, we will advise you of your rights. This includes cases where an employee made a discrimination complaint, contacted law enforcement regarding their employer’s fraud and took time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
- Employment Agreements – It’s always a good idea to understand what you are being asked to sign. Often, what’s not addressed can be as important as what is. When you are negotiating a work related agreement of any kind (from hiring to severance), you can often benefit from some help. Assistance can range from a brief “review and comment” to a full “draft and negotiate.”
- Case Evaluation - Employment law has become increasingly complex. In many cases, an impartial evaluation of facts and circumstances is important to understanding your rights and options in a given situation. Our attorneys have deep experience evaluating and counseling on employment-related legal issues from legal and practical perspectives. We will ask the right questions and help you understand your options and make informed choices.
Our accomplished labor, employment and workers’ compensation lawyers have decades of experience fighting on behalf of employees in a variety of legal forums, including proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
Contact an effective Connecticut employment law attorney
Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. represents employees in discrimination claims, wrongful termination actions and other Connecticut employment law matters. To set up a meeting with one our attorneys in East Haven or Hamden, please call 203-745-0942 or contact us online.