Quick Answer Can you recover overtime or benefits if you were misclassified as an independent contractor? Possibly. Receiving a Form 1099, forming an LLC, or signing an independent contractor agreement does not automatically make you a lawful independent contractor. Federal and state agencies look at the reality of the working relationship. If the company controlled…
Before an employment lawyer consultation, prepare a simple timeline, gather the most important workplace documents, and write down what outcome you want to understand. You do not need to have a perfect case or know the legal terms. The goal is to help the lawyer quickly understand what happened, whe
Being written up after complaining at work does not automatically mean your employer retaliated. But it may raise legal concerns if the write-up came after you complained about discrimination, harassment, unpaid wages, protected leave, safety, whistleblowing, or another protected workplace issue and
Your employer should not punish you because you reported workplace harassment or participated in a harassment investigation. But not every negative event after a report is automatically unlawful retaliation. The facts matter, including what you reported, who knew about it, what changed afterward, wh
Being fired after complaining to HR is not automatically unlawful retaliation. It may raise legal concerns when the complaint involved protected workplace rights and the firing appears connected to that complaint. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the strongest questions are what you reported, who kne
Do not rush to sign a severance agreement after being fired. A severance offer may provide money, benefits, or a smoother exit, but it may also ask you to give up legal claims, accept restrictions, keep information confidential, or meet deadlines you do not fully understand. In New Jersey and Pennsy
If your employer refuses to pay overtime, start by saving your time records, paystubs, schedules, messages, job duties, and any explanation the employer gave. Many employees who are not exempt from overtime must receive overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours in a workweek, but overtime dispu
If your employer reduced your pay without warning, first find out whether the change applies only to future work or affects wages, commissions, overtime, PTO, or pay already earned. A pay cut is not automatically illegal, but it may raise legal concerns when it affects earned wages, minimum wage, ov
Published by: Swartz Swidler LLC Last updated: 06/19/2026 Jurisdiction note: This article is for employees in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and South Jersey. Pay reduction laws can vary based on the state, pay agreement, timing of the reduction, wage rate, exempt status, contract terms, and the facts of the case. This article is for general…
Published by: Swartz Swidler LLC Last updated: 06/12/2026 Jurisdiction note: This article is for employees in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and South Jersey. Severance agreement rights and deadlines can vary based on the agreement, the employee’s age, the employer, the reason for separation, and applicable federal, state, or local law. This article is for general…