When an employee is mistreated at work, their natural instinct is often to quit their job as soon as possible. That’s true whether they’ve been harassed, discriminated against, or denied payment or benefits.

But when an employee plans to sue their employer for their mistreatment, should they hire an attorney before or after they notify their employer that they’re quitting?

If you’re going to quit your job and file a lawsuit against your employer, it’s wise to speak to an attorney first. However, if you’ve already quit your job, it’s still not too late to hire a lawyer.

How a Lawyer Can Help You Before You Quit Your Job

In addition to filing all the necessary paperwork and negotiating with the other parties, attorneys can provide invaluable advice to their clients on what to do and what not to do to help their cases.

What you say when you notify your employer that you’re quitting your job could impact the future of your claim. For example, although you might be tempted to vent your frustrations on your supervisor, this could later come back to haunt you. The things you say in the heat of the moment might later be used against you in a lawsuit.

By hiring a lawyer before giving your notice to your employer, your attorney can provide you advice on how to take a more tactful approach.

Your attorney might also advise you not to quit your job, especially if you’re simply wanting to demand back pay and otherwise like your job. It’s illegal for employers to fire employees in retaliation for filing a lawsuit.

Skilled employment law attorneys have a unique perspective on the legal implications of your actions, so it’s always best to talk to one before doing anything that could impact the outcome of your case.

An Employment Lawyer Can Still Help If You’ve Already Quit

In many cases, employees quit their jobs without considering filing a lawsuit, and realize that they may have a case only after they’ve left their place of employment. In these situations, it’s recommended to contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.

It’s rarely the case that someone does everything perfectly before hiring a lawyer and filing a lawsuit. Fortunately, your lawyer has likely dealt with cases very similar to yours, and they should be equipped to deal with your situation because of their experience and knowledge of the law.

If you’re considering taking legal action against an employer, contact an employment law attorney as soon as you can.

If You Need Help, Contact Fieger Law

The Michigan employment law attorneys at Fieger Law help clients across the U.S. deal with all sorts of employment-related issues, including wage disputes, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and employer retaliation.

If you or a loved one has been mistreated at work and you’re now considering your legal options, contact Geoffrey Fieger and his team of employment law attorneys today to schedule a free case review.