Author: Joyce Smithey

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Articles written by Joyce Smithey

Joyce Smithey, a seasoned employment and labor law attorney, has over 22 years of experience representing both employers and employees in Maryland and D.C. Her practice, rooted in a deep understanding of employment law, spans administrative hearings to federal litigation. Joyce's approach is comprehensive, focusing on protecting client interests while ensuring legal compliance. A Harvard graduate, her career began in Fortune 500 companies, transitioning to law after a degree from Boston University School of Law. Joyce's expertise is recognized by numerous awards, including Maryland’s Top 100 Women. At Smithey Law Group LLC, which she founded in 2018, Joyce continues to champion employment rights, drawing on her rich background in law and business.

Understanding Constructive Discharge

Employees of both large corporations and small businesses deserve respect and workplace safety. No one should have to endure bullying, harassment, or abuse at work. But sometimes, employees feel forced to resign because workplace abuse and harassment have become so...

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What Is the Average Settlement for a Discrimination Lawsuit?

Each and every one of us is unique. That’s a simple and undeniable truth. No two people anywhere in the world are exactly alike. Though this is true, and though we are all unique in our own ways, we all...

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What Happens to Equity When You Leave a Company?

Whether you intend to stay at your current company for a few years or forever, it is always essential to understand what happens to your equity when you leave a company. The truth is that unforeseen things happen, and being...

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Can I Sue My Employer for Firing Me Under False Accusations?

Getting fired is always emotional. Even if your boss has a valid reason for letting you go, it hurts. But when your boss terminates you because of an outright lie, the trauma increases. When you believe that someone in your...

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Can You Be Fired for Taking a Leave of Absence?

Taking care of yourself and your household is not always about the money you bring home from work. Sometimes you need time off to tend to important personal or family matters. If you need this type of break and want...

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What to Do If Your Employer Won’t Reimburse Business Expenses

The transactional relationship between you and an employer should be a simple exchange: Your employer needs to compensate you each time you perform work for it. But what happens when your work obligations incur costs or require you to spend...

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How Do You Prove Breach of Fiduciary Duty?

A breach of fiduciary duty is a serious, complex, and often challenging matter. Familiarizing yourself with the law, examples, and burden of proof in these actions can give you a better understanding of what to expect. If you believe an...

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What Happens to Employees During Mergers and Acquisitions?

Whether you are an employee on the buyer or target side of a merger and acquisition, one word that likely comes to mind is uncertainty. Any merger & acquisition will come with some form of change potentially drastically affecting the...

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Workplace Sexual Harassment as a Contractor or Temporary Employee

If you are wondering what your rights might be if you are the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace but not a permanent employee, you have come to the right place. While most federal and state employment laws, such...

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Discrimination in Remote Work Environments

With the move to remote work over the last three years, most employees have embraced new digital communications tools, increased their productivity, and expanded their networks. Unfortunately, some employees have taken advantage of these new, unmonitored, one-on-one communication channels to...

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