Coral Springs Employment Law Attorney

Coral Springs Employment Lawyer

Whether you are an employer or an employee, the specifics of employment law can be complicated. It is important to know your rights and responsibilities to make sure that employee and employer relationships are fair and equitable, and that everyone’s rights are protected. If you are in the Coral Springs area and need advice regarding employment relationships, you should contact a Coral Springs employment law attorney to help you.

At the Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A., we have over two decades of experience serving clients in all aspects of employment law. For our businesses and individuals, we provide sound legal advice from a position of knowledge and advocate for client rights in negotiations and contractual issues. We are conveniently located for our Coral Springs clients, who can meet with us in our office just a short drive away, at 1200 North Federal Highway in Boca Raton.

Inclusions Under Employment Law

Employment law is a broad legal umbrella that includes many subtopics. Whether you are an employer or an employee, educating yourself on your rights and responsibilities in your working relationship can help protect you from stress, reputational damage, and financial hardship. While there are many issues that can arise in employment law, there are a few that are violated most often.

Minimum Wage

The minimum wage establishes the lowest hourly wage an employer can legally pay an employee. This is set at the state level, although there is a federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour. For employees who regularly receive tips and keep all their tips, the minimum employer-paid wage is $2.13 per hour. However, if the employer-paid wage combined with the tips does not meet the $7.25 hourly rate, the employer must pay the difference.

Beyond the federal minimum wage, states can set a minimum wage that supersedes the federal requirement. As of the end of 2025, the minimum wage in Florida is $14 per hour. It is scheduled to increase to $15 per hour in September of 2026. Employers are legally required to pay at least this minimum wage, and employers who do not do so may be subject to wage theft lawsuits and other legal action.

Overtime Pay

Like minimum wage, states are allowed to establish their own laws regarding overtime pay. However, the state of Florida does not presently have its own independent overtime law. As such, overtime pay is governed by the provisions set in the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). According to this legislation, if an employee works more than 40 hours in each work week, the hours beyond 40 must be paid at a rate of one and a half times the usual pay rate.

Sick Pay

Florida presently does not have any laws that require employers to give employees paid sick time. This is ultimately up to the employer’s discretion. Employees may also be eligible to take time off under the provisions of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, but this legislation provides only job protection, not pay.

Hire an Employment Law Attorney in Coral Springs

Whether you are an employer or an employee with questions about your rights and responsibilities, a great first step in solving any work relationship issue is to hire an employment law attorney. Your lawyer can help you understand your legal position, your options for action, and potential outcomes of any decisions you make.

Employment lawyers can help both employers and employees by reviewing documents for legal clarity and enforceability. These could include things like employment contracts, non-compete agreements, non-disclosure agreements, performance improvement plans, and any other documents that may hold legal sway over the relationship. Document review is useful for improving legal efficacy and identifying and mitigating problems that could become lawsuits.

If a conflict does arise between you and your employee or employer, your attorney can help you file any necessary legal complaints or claims, represent you in negotiations, and collect evidence to support your case. If the conflict should ultimately escalate all the way to a courtroom, your attorney can represent you there, as well.

FAQs

Does Workers’ Compensation Fall Under Employment Law?

Workers’ compensation is a subtopic of employment law. Workers’ compensation is a kind of insurance that nearly all employers are required to carry. It is meant to pay for medical care and partly replace wages for employees who are injured or become ill due to their work. Employment law attorneys usually come into these cases when a claim is denied or underpaid, leading to an appeal process and potentially a court hearing.

How Much Does a Coral Springs Employment Law Attorney Cost?

The cost to hire a Coral Springs employment law attorney can vary widely depending on your needs. If you simply need legal advice, attorneys usually require an up-front fee, called a retainer, to begin using their services. If you are trying to recover unpaid wages or other damages, an attorney may take your case on a contingency basis, meaning they receive a percentage of any settlement rather than an up-front fee from you.

Can My Employer Fire Me for Filing a Complaint with the Department of Labor?

Your employer cannot legally fire you for filing a complaint with the Department of Labor, no matter the reason for your complaint. Terminating an employee for filing a complaint is grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit. If this has happened to you, document all related communications and consult an employment law attorney.

Is My Employer Required to Let Me Take Breaks in Florida?

In Florida, there is no state law requiring employers to allow adult employees to take breaks, paid or unpaid, during work. However, if an employer does allow breaks, the Fair Labor Standards Act provides that short breaks, 20 minutes or less, must be paid, while longer breaks, 30 minutes or longer, can be unpaid, according to the discretion of the employer.

Coral Springs Employment Law Attorney

If you have a question about employment law, or if you are involved in a conflict, you need an attorney with a deep knowledge of Florida employment law and the experience to advise you with confidence. At the Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A., we are ready to meet any challenge and work tirelessly to achieve satisfactory outcomes for you. Contact us today to discuss your needs.