Delray Beach & Boca Raton Area Discrimination Lawyers

Discrimination

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act of 1983, the Age Discrmination Act of 1967 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 are federal laws that prohibit job discrimination based on the following:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• National Origin
• Age (40 years or older)
• Disability

Any aspect of employment engaging in discrimination may be subject to employment arbitration. Discrimination may be present in any of the following employment practices:

• Job Advertisements
• Training and Apprenticeship Programs
• Testing
• Transfer/Promotion/Layoff/Recall
• Recruitment
• Pay, Retirement Plans, and Disability Leave
• Hiring and Firing
• Compensation/Assignment/Classification of Employees
• Fringe Benefits
• Other Terms and Conditions of Employment
• Use of Company Facilities

Defamation Claims

When a broker leaves a firm, it is common practice for the firm to file a U-5 form which describes reasons for departure. NASD’s enforcement department reviews the form and incorporates the information into a database accessible to prospective employers. Evidence revealed during defamation claims have shown that brokerage firms have, at times, submitted false information for the purpose of thwarting a broker’s career or as a strategy to shift the blame during an investigation.

Promissory Note Reduction

In an effort to promote and draw in new employees, some brokerage firms advance funds to employees, but oblige them to sign a promissory note. When firms withdraw the compensation,
the employees become compelled to leave their positions, and the firms subsequently undertake collection actions on the promissory notes for advanced funds.

Bonus & Compensation Disputes

Financial firms use incentives to encourage employee production, and hedge fund bonuses are prevalent in the industry. However, it also occurs that employees, who are up to receive their bonus, find themselves being dismissed right before the bonus becomes due. Brokerage firms unjustly elect to dismiss employees as a means of withholding bonus or compensation payments.

If you are a stock broker or an assistant at a brokerage or financial company and have reason to believe your rights as an employee have been violated, please contact Scarlett & Gucciardo, P.A. online or at (561) 278-6707 to arrange a free consultation with one of our lawyers. Our firm will evaluate your case and if represented, we will take your case on contingency, meaning our fees are dependent or contingent upon recovering money on your behalf.