Have you ever had an employment contract that seemed to be more of a promise than legalese, only to be broken by your boss as a toxic ex might ghost you on text? Not cool. Breach of employment contract is not just unethical but also an illegal act.
Professional legal assistance becomes necessary whenever employment contract violations occur, such as wage violations, wrongful dismissal, or non-compete agreement breaches. An employment attorney knows how to interpret the fine print and counter that with facts.
This blog will take you through how these legal pros handle breach of contract cases and how they could help you get what is owed to you.
What Is a Breach of an Employment Contract?
Did you think your 9-to-5 had a vibe and a legitimate contract? Same. But when your employer violates the deal and withholds your pay, reduces your hours, or suddenly terminates you, that’s a breach of your employment contract.
In a nutshell, this means that one party (the employer in this case) did not fulfill their obligations in a legally binding agreement. Breaches can be material (serious violation) versus minor (still a breach but not as serious).
From a broken non-compete to broken promises on severance pay, it is not just unjust, it is a legal matter. Gordon Turner Employment Lawyers will assist you in knowing your rights and taking decisive legal action. Knowing what constitutes a breach is your first step to taking action.
The Part an Employment Lawyer Plays in Breach of Contract Cases
When your contract is as dead as last season’s TikTok trend, it’s time to lawyer up: here is exactly how an employment lawyer intervenes and sets the record straight.
Reviews the Employment Agreement
They begin by going over your contract word for word so they can get familiar with the terms, conditions, and loopholes that may either work or harm your case.
Identifies the Breach
Employment lawyers specifically identify which broken contractual provisions your company failed to meet so that no confusion exists during legal confrontation, especially in light of the recent Employment Rights Bill introduced in 2024, which is expected to cost businesses up to £4.5 billion annually.
Evaluate Case Strength
They determine whether your case has enough legal standing, persuasive evidence, and actual damages to suggest your breach is worth the cost of a claim at either court or through a settlement.
Collects and Organises Evidence
From pay stubs and emails to signed agreements, they assist in collecting and organising all evidence proving that the employer failed to honor their part of the bargain.
Handles Employer Communication
As your legal spokesman, they negotiate fairness directly with your employer or their attorney team on your behalf while you avoid workplace manipulation and internal corporate battles.
Sends a Legal Notice
Before flipping into full-blown litigation mode, they will usually give your employer a formal notice, detailing the breach and asking them to correct it before you go down the legal route.
Attempts at Negotiation or Mediation
Most attorneys attempt to settle matters first via mediation or private negotiations saving time, stress, and money, but still working towards a good outcome.
Files a Lawsuit if Needed
If all goes south, the attorney will file a civil lawsuit against the employer and proceed to put forth all evidence gathered to corroborate your claims in court.
Calculates Potential Damages
They calculate what you might recover lost wages, health, even punitive damages depending on how severely the violation has impacted your earnings or standing.
Defends Against Employer Counterclaims
If the employer tries to set a new story in which they blame you, your attorney will attack those false allegations and keep the attention on the true breach.
Represents You in Court
Anything and everything from preparing you for testimony to the actual argument of your case before a judge, they ensure that your side is duly heard during any legal proceeding.
Advises on Future Contracts
When the proceedings end, they will teach you how to detect problematic clauses while creating more effective employment contracts for the future.
When Should You Contact an Employment Lawyer?
After a Sudden or Unfair Termination
You have a legal red flag if you are fired suddenly with no warning or reason, and your contract states otherwise. In this case, you should call up an employment lawyer.
When Promised Pay or Benefits Go Missing
If you are having trouble collecting unpaid bonuses, outstanding severance, or an issue with lost vacation days, your lawyer can work to help you collect every dollar you are legally owed.
If You’re Asked to Sign Something Sketchy
If you are presented with a confusing NDA, non-compete, or release agreement, you may want a lawyer to first ensure you are not accidentally signing away your rights or future.
When You Suspect Retaliation
If your boss is behaving suspiciously after you complained or reported wrongdoing, an attorney will be able to establish retaliation and defend your position or claim.
Conclusion
Instead of scrolling down past the red flags, get legal support when your job contract is broken. A lawyer specialising in employment can assist you in defending your rights and claiming everything lawfully yours.
Blog Received on Mail