Employment Law
Employers often get away with wrongful conduct towards their employees such as discrimination, sexual harassment, and wage theft.
Employees are pressured to put up with these workplace abuses out of a fear of retaliation and losing their jobs.
The employment attorneys at Chanfrau & Chanfrau protect Florida’s workers by fighting back against abusive employer behavior.
Receive Protection for Your Employment Rights
Our employment attorneys at the Chanfrau & Chanfrau law firm are capable of representing both plaintiffs and defense in employment law. Our understanding of both sides of these cases gives us the ability to understand the tactics opposing parties will use, and how to fight them. Victims of workplace abuses and targets of false allegations both deserve vigorous employment law representation. Request your consultation to receive it from us. Call (386) 258-7313 or send us a message.
Our Lawyers Fight for Florida Workers
Cathy Moutsopoulos
Daytona Beach, FL
2023
Thank you to Kelly Chanfrau and her team at Chanfrau & Chanfrau. You and your team came through for me in my moment of need. I’m always the one giving help - never asking for it. Everyone went above and beyond on so many levels. Professional, kind, thorough and personable. Highly recommend. Thank you so much. 5⭐️
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Daytona Beach, FL
2023
I want to give the GREATEST appreciation to the BEST law firm that I have encountered in Daytona Beach Florida... My voice was heard! That was one of the most amazing things that I could do not only for myself, but for others that have or will encounter any future injustices. Again, thank you so much for your time, your concern, and for being an advocate for me. Great job and I would recommend this law firm to anyone seeking justice!
View on GoogleReasons Florida Chooses Our Lawyers
Commitment to Max Compensation
Our law firm is large enough to have significant resources, networks of experts, relationships with investigators, and strong support staff. That being said, we make a conscious commitment to not become too big that we lose the ability to personally know and advocate for our clients. Additionally, by not growing too large we avoid incurring the significant overhead costs that cause some firms to rush cases and accept lower settlements than their clients deserve. Simply put, we do not under-settle.
Our Team of Acclaimed Attorneys
Each of our three partner attorneys has earned the highest possible rating of AV from the attorney evaluator Martindale-Hubbell. To receive an AV rating, lawyers must demonstrate the highest levels of professional excellence, skill, and integrity. Our Daytona Beach law office and Palm Coast law office have collected millions in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. We are especially capable of handling employment law cases thanks to Kelly Chanfrau’s board certification in labor and employment law.
Board Certification in Labor and Employment Law
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Kelly met numerous high standards to receive her board certification status. She had to demonstrate significant involvement in labor and employment law for a full five years before applying for certification. She also had to complete 60 hours of continuing education in labor law and employment law. Additionally, Kelly had to receive peer reviews and pass a written examination.
What Is the Florida Commission
on Human Relations?
The Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) is a state agency that was created by the Florida Human Rights Act of 1969 to enforce the state’s anti-discrimination laws. Its authority was further expanded by the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992. In 1999, the FCHR Whistle-blower's Act protected state employees against retaliation and gave them the means to file a complaint if they've been retaliated against. Our employment lawyers can file and handle complaints with the FCHR to protect your legal rights.
There Is Hope
Being the victim of sexual harassment, discrimination, and whistleblower retaliation can make you feel alone. You must know that many others have unfortunately dealt with these issues and that there is hope for a positive resolution.
As of 2023, the most recent annual report released by the FCHR covered the 2018-2019 fiscal year. This report disclosed that the commission had 1,220 employment cases and 71 whistleblower retaliation cases that year. The report also stated that 1,142 employment cases and 100 whistleblower cases were resolved that fiscal year.
Volusia County and Flagler County are home to the coastal cities of Bunnell, Flagler, Daytona Beach, Deland, Palm Coast, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, and Ormond Beach. The FCHR report noted that they received 45 employment or retaliation cases in the fiscal year ending in 2019 from Volusia and Flagler counties alone. This is one case almost every week. Larger counties like Broward, Duvall, and Orange had over a hundred complaints each.
Talk to Our Employment Attorneys
Chanfrau & Chanfrau has helped protect the rights of both employees and employers since 1976. Our employment attorneys understand the intricacies of workplace labor laws, as well as federal and state discrimination protections. We pride ourselves on using this knowledge to fight for just outcomes in employment cases.
Just 5% of Florida bar members can claim board certification of any kind. Kelly Chanfrau’s board certification in labor and employment law proves that our dedication to workplace rights goes above and beyond the norm. Reach out to our employment attorneys over the phone or by sending us a message to begin receiving the help you deserve.
(386) 258-7313
"This firm represents honesty, integrity, and professionalism." Helping Workers Throughout Florida
Terry Welker
Daytona Beach, FL
2023
I could tell from the first appointment that I could trust Bill Chanfrau Jr., Amanda Brown and the Chanfrau team. Being a Vietnam Vet, that does not come easy. As time went on I could see that this law firm represented honesty, integrity and professionalism. The team was diligent and courteous and treated me like family. At the end Bill Chanfrau Jr. kept all his promises to me and they exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend Chanfrau & Chanfrau Law Firm to anyone.
View on GoogleJason Brezee
Palm Coast, FL
2023
Kelly Chanfrau will forever change your perspective of what a lawyer is. Kelly Chanfrau made me feel like part of the family. She handled my case with the most professionalism, compassion, sincerity, but most of all her fight for justice!! She always made me feel as though I was her only client that she had at the time. She always kept me well informed and explained in details the technical, legal aspects of my case.
View on GoogleOur Attorneys Fight to Protect You Using Federal & State Law
Employment Discrimination
Both federal and state labor laws exist to protect workers from discrimination. Employers are prohibited from denying employment, denying equal wages, harassing, treating adversely, or terminating an employee based on certain factors. Florida state law protects employees from workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, or marital status. Employees have a right to complain about discrimination, and if it continues or accelerates, an employment law case can be filed.
How Does This Look in Action?
In September 2020, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) settled a race discrimination lawsuit against the city of Venice, Florida. The lawsuit alleged that a Black city employee was subjected to repeated, unwarranted disciplinary action based on his race. The employee had served two unpaid suspensions, endured racial slurs, and was eventually fired. The DOJ's attorney's complaint stated that the Black employee faced significantly harsher punishments than his comparable white coworkers.
The lawsuit argued that the city had violated the federal statute Title VII, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. The terms of the settlement dictated that the city would pay the employee $195,000 in lost wages and compensatory damages. Our employment attorneys can take on similar cases on your behalf and fight for the financial compensation you deserve for enduring unjust employer actions.
You Deserve Protection in the Workplace
Whistleblowers are employees who report violations of the law by public employers or independent contractors that endanger the public’s health, safety, or welfare. An employer is legally prohibited from taking adverse action against whistleblowers, such as by firing, suspending, or demoting them. Our employment lawyers can fight for whistleblowers to receive back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, and liquidated damages. The Florida False Claim Act incentivizes individuals to bring lawsuits regarding fraud against the state by allowing whistleblowers to collect some of the recovered damages.
Federal law prohibits employers from discriminating against workers on the basis of religion. These religions include traditional beliefs like Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, as well as nontraditional beliefs. Your employer cannot treat you differently based on your religious beliefs, cannot force you to perform acts that are a violation of your beliefs, and must make reasonable accommodations based their your religion, such as allowing you to pray and not forcing you to work on the Sabbath.
If you become pregnant, your job is protected under the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act. This means that you have the right to keep working as long as you're able—your employer can't fire you, reduce your pay, give you lesser assignments, pass you over for a promotion, or make you take leave due to your pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Additionally, an employer cannot refuse to hire a woman based on her pregnancy or plans to become pregnant.
Age discrimination includes harassment in the form of unwelcome or offensive conduct based on a person's age if they're 40 years old or older. Age harassment can present in the form of jokes, comments, drawings, gestures, and more. Federal law does not, however, prohibit an employer from asking for an applicant's age or date of birth.
If you are a disabled worker, your employer cannot treat you differently, pay you lower wages, pass you over for a promotion or raise, or harass you in the workplace due to your mental or physical disability. Your employer also has to make reasonable accommodations for you, such as making the workplace accessible for wheelchairs.
Marital status discrimination is discrimination based on whether a person is married or single, or whether they have children. An example of this is if, as a woman who just got married, your employer passes you over for a promotion because they think you'll be more focused on starting a family than your career.
Let Our Lawyer Protect Your Rights
"Kelly Chanfrau has been my attorney for over seven years. Kelly and her firm has gone above and beyond the call of duty to fight for my rights and to protect my dignity and overall respect in the workplace. I strongly recommend Chanfrau and Chanfrau." Natacha Lherisson
Your Time May
Be Running Out
There are deadlines for when you must file certain employment law complaints. From the date of an alleged discriminatory action, you have just 365 days to file an employment complaint and only 60 days to file a whistleblower retaliation complaint. Don't wait to put a lawyer in your corner. Reach out today.
More Key Employment Law Areas
Employment Contracts
Our certified employment law attorney can help employers and employees with contract disputes, or prevent contract disagreements altogether. Chanfrau & Chanfrau can assist in the drafting, negotiating, review, and analysis of all employment-related contracts.
In addition to employment contracts, we can help with non-compete agreements, non-disclosure agreements, independent contractor agreements, and more. Our employment lawyers can help ensure employees understand the complex legalese often included in contracts, and that employers' contracts and agreements are robust and enforceable.
Family Medical Leave Act
We represent individuals who have suffered both interference and retaliation with regard to the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA provides every employee who works for an employer with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius with family medical leave if they become pregnant, or if they or an immediate family member suffer from a serious health condition. Additionally, the employee should be able to return to their former - or an equivalent - position without losing benefits, pay, or status. We can pursue compensation lost by FMLA denial.
Overtime & Wage Dispute
Wage and hour disputes can pertain to various areas of labor law, including unpaid salary, paychecks, or commissions, overtime or vacation pay, minimum wage, or any unauthorized deduction of an employee's wages. Wage and hour employment standards are governed by state and federal laws. Failure to meet these standards not only creates financial stress for an employee but can also endanger the livelihood of their dependents. Our employment attorneys can protect your rights and help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can take many forms, including unwanted physical contact, sharing of offensive material, threats, or special treatment for sexual favors. Employees who report sexual harassment should not suffer retaliation, and have a legal right to fight against wrongful termination following a sexual harassment complaint. Our law firm can help you prove that the sexual actions you endured were unwelcome and damaging to your life and career. We can also defend employers who are wrongfully accused of creating a hostile work environment.
Florida Loves Our Employment Lawyers
Richard Fagan
Daytona Beach, FL
2023
I did not know what to expect from Chanfrau & Chanfrau. I was pleasantly surprised when we started on my case. the whole team was wonderful. They totally took over everything. THere was not a lot for me to do since they had everything covered. A great law firm. Thank you so much
View on GoogleRoshanda Ivey
Daytona Beach, FL
2023
Kelly Chanfrau and legal team is the BEST!! Thank you for all your hard work, time, compassion, kindness, gentleness and most importantly LOVE ❤️. I recommend Chanfrau & Chanfrau to all!
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