Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.0.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Gateway Employment Law, LLC Protecting the rights of employees who've been mistreated by their employers. ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://gelawllc.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: What It Is, What It Looks Like, and What You Can Do](https://gelawllc.com/?p=697) - Sexual harassment in the workplace is not always obvious. That is exactly why it continues to impact employees across industries. Understanding how it shows up, what your rights are, and when to take action is critical. This article breaks down the fundamentals so you can recognize misconduct early and respond with confidence. What Qualifies as - [Were You Fired Illegally? How to Identify Wrongful Termination](https://gelawllc.com/?p=694) - Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee for a reason that violates state or federal law. Even though most jobs are considered “at-will,” meaning an employer can terminate employment at any time, that freedom is not unlimited. Employers cannot legally fire someone for reasons such as: - Discrimination based on a protected characteristic - [Non-Compete Agreements Explained: Are You Legally Bound or Unfairly Restricted?](https://gelawllc.com/?p=688) - Non-compete and non-solicitation agreements can significantly limit your ability to earn a living, but not all restrictions are enforceable. If you’re searching for a non-compete lawyer near me or employment contract attorney in St. Louis, you are likely questioning whether your agreement is valid. What These Agreements Typically Restrict Employers use these agreements to limit: - [Severance Agreements: Why Accepting the First Offer Could Cost You Thousands](https://gelawllc.com/?p=685) - When an employer presents a severance agreement, it often comes during a high-pressure moment. Many employees assume the offer is final—but in reality, it is often negotiable. If you’re searching for a severance agreement lawyer near me or severance negotiation attorney Illinois, you are already taking the right step. What a Severance Agreement Typically Includes - [Unpaid Overtime, Misclassification, and Wage Theft: How to Recover What You’re Owed](https://gelawllc.com/?p=680) - Wage and hour violations are one of the most widespread—and costly—employment issues affecting workers today. If you’re searching for a wage and hour lawyer near me or unpaid overtime attorney Illinois, there’s a strong likelihood you’re not being compensated correctly. Common Wage Violations Employees Face Many violations go unnoticed or unchallenged. The most frequent include: - [Blowing the Whistle at Work: Your Rights, Risks, and Legal Protections Explained](https://gelawllc.com/?p=677) - Reporting workplace misconduct is one of the most impactful actions an employee can take—but it often comes with perceived risk. If you’re searching for a whistleblower lawyer near me or employee retaliation attorney Illinois, you are likely navigating a high-stakes situation. Whistleblowing occurs when an employee reports illegal or unethical activity. This can be done - [Religious Accommodation in the Workplace: What Employers Are Required to Provide](https://gelawllc.com/?p=674) - Employees have the right to practice their religion without fear of discrimination or job loss. When employers fail to provide reasonable accommodations, it may constitute a legal violation. If you’re facing challenges, searching for a religious discrimination lawyer near me is a critical first step. Religious accommodations can include schedule adjustments, dress code exceptions, or - [Denied Disability Accommodations or Medical Leave? Your Legal Options Explained](https://gelawllc.com/?p=671) - Employees with medical conditions or disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations and protected medical leave under federal law. When employers fail to comply, the consequences can be severe. If your request has been denied, it may be time to consult a disability accommodation lawyer near me. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers must - [Workplace Retaliation: What to Do If Your Employer Punishes You for Speaking Up](https://gelawllc.com/?p=669) - Speaking up about workplace issues should never cost you your job—but retaliation remains a widespread problem. If your employer has taken adverse action after you reported misconduct, you may have a valid claim. Searching for a workplace retaliation lawyer near me is often the first step toward protecting your rights. Retaliation occurs when an employer - [Workplace Discrimination Laws Explained: Know Your Rights and When to Take Action](https://gelawllc.com/?p=664) - Workplace discrimination continues to impact employees across industries, often creating financial hardship and long-term career setbacks. If you’ve been treated unfairly based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, or another protected characteristic, it’s critical to understand your rights and take decisive action. Many individuals begin by searching for a workplace discrimination lawyer near me or - [Sexual Harassment in Missouri: What Counts, Your Rights, and When to Hire a Lawyer](https://gelawllc.com/?p=661) - If you are dealing with sexual harassment in Missouri, you may be asking, “Can I sue my employer for sexual harassment?” or “What are my rights?” Missouri law provides protections for employees, but navigating a claim requires a clear understanding of what qualifies and how to act. What Qualifies as Sexual Harassment in Missouri? The - [Sexual Harassment in Illinois: Your Legal Rights, Warning Signs, and How to File a Claim](https://gelawllc.com/?p=657) - Experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace in Illinois can disrupt your career, financial stability, and overall well-being. If you are searching for an Illinois sexual harassment lawyer or asking, “Do I have a sexual harassment case in Illinois?”, it is important to understand that the law provides strong protections for employees. What Counts as Sexual - [Wrongful Termination in Illinois — Know Your Rights and Take Action](https://gelawllc.com/?p=647) - Being wrongfully terminated in Illinois can feel overwhelming, but understanding your legal rights is the first step toward protecting your career and financial future. While Illinois is an at-will employment state, employers cannot fire employees for illegal reasons. If your termination violates state or federal law, you may have grounds for a wrongful termination claim. - [Wrongful Termination in Missouri — When to Contact an Employment Lawyer](https://gelawllc.com/?p=640) - If you have been wrongfully terminated in Missouri, it is essential to understand whether your situation qualifies for legal action. Missouri follows at-will employment, but employers still cannot fire employees for unlawful reasons. If your termination violates employment law, you may have a valid claim for compensation. Key Signs of Wrongful Termination in Missouri Under ## Pages - [Home](https://gelawllc.com/) - Learn more about the services we offer to employees in Missouri and Illinois who've been discriminated against, harassed, or mistreated by their employers. - [Robert L. Ortbals Jr.](https://gelawllc.com/?page_id=44) - Learn more about founding attorney Robert (Bob) Ortbals Jr. and how he can help you if you've been discriminated against, harassed, or mistreated at work. - [Know Your Rights: Employment Law Insights for Illinois & Missouri Workers](https://gelawllc.com/?page_id=635) - Workplace issues can be confusing, especially if you’re not sure what your rights are. If you’ve been fired unfairly, treated differently at work, or not paid properly, you may have legal options. In Illinois and Missouri, there are laws that protect employees from things like discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination. This means your employer cannot - [Attorneys](https://gelawllc.com/?page_id=156) - Founding attorneys Bob Ortbals Jr. and Katie Rhoten started Gateway Employment Law to help employees who've been mistreated at work. Learn more about them here. - [Katie M. Rhoten](https://gelawllc.com/?page_id=87) - Learn more about founding attorney Katie Rhoten and how she can help you if you've been discriminated against, harassed, or mistreated at work. - [Representation](https://gelawllc.com/?page_id=348) - Employment Law Services in Illinois & Missouri At Gateway Employment Law, we represent employees across Illinois and Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro East region, in a wide range of workplace disputes. Our firm focuses exclusively on protecting employee rights when employers violate federal and state employment laws. Workplace issues can impact your career, income, - [Contact Us](https://gelawllc.com/?page_id=368) - Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Phone # *Address *Address Line 1Address Line 2City--- Select state ---AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingStateZip Code currently leading timing Employer *Position *Salary *Type of Workplace Issue *--- - [About](https://gelawllc.com/?page_id=155) - Learn more about our firm's founding, our dedication to helping protect the rights of employees who've been mistreated at work, and how we can help. - [Disclaimer](https://gelawllc.com/?page_id=160) - This site is maintained for informational purposes only. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and shouldn't be based solely on advertisements. ## Teams - [Robert L Ortbals Jr.](https://gelawllc.com/?team=robert-l-ortbals-jr) - Bob Ortbals founded Gateway Employment Law to help protect the rights of employees who've been mistreated by their employers. Before doing so, he spent nearly 20 years representing employers at some of the largest law firms in the U.S. He represented companies ranging from the Fortune 500 to small businesses and startups. Bob's handled matters - [Katie M. Rhoten](https://gelawllc.com/?team=katie-m-rhoten) - Founding Gateway Employment Law allowed Katie Rhoten to return to her roots and original passion of helping employees who've been mistreated in the workplace. Katie began her legal career in St. Louis helping employees navigate a wide variety of workplace disputes including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. She then spent 6 years working alongside Bob Ortbals ## Services - [Non-Compete & Non-Solicitation Agreements](https://gelawllc.com/?service=non-compete-non-solicitation-agreements) - At Gateway Employment Law, we represent employees who are navigating non-compete and non-solicitation agreements that may impact their ability to work, change jobs, or grow their careers. These agreements can impose significant restrictions after employment ends, and in many cases, they are overly broad or improperly enforced. Employees should not assume these agreements are automatically - [Severance Agreements & Negotiation](https://gelawllc.com/?service=severance-agreements-negotiation) - When employment ends, employers often present severance packages that include legal terms affecting compensation, future employment, and the ability to pursue claims. Understanding these agreements before signing is critical. laws. At Gateway Employment Law, we represent employees who are reviewing, negotiating, or responding to severance agreements. Severance agreements are typically written to protect the employer. - [Whistleblowing](https://gelawllc.com/?service=whistleblowing) - Employees play a critical role in identifying wrongdoing, and the law provides protections for those who speak up. When employers retaliate against whistleblowers, it may violate federal and state employment laws. At Gateway Employment Law, we represent employees who have reported illegal, unethical, or unsafe conduct in the workplace and faced negative consequences as a - [Religious Accommodations](https://gelawllc.com/?service=religious-accommodations) - Employees should not have to choose between their job and their sincerely held religious beliefs. When employers refuse reasonable accommodations, enforce conflicting policies, or retaliate against employees for asserting their rights, it may violate federal and state employment laws. At Gateway Employment Law, we represent employees whose rights to practice their religion in the workplace - [Disability Accommodation & Medical Leave](https://gelawllc.com/?service=disability-discrimination-accommodation) - Employees should be able to address health conditions or care for family members without risking their job, income, or professional standing. When employers deny accommodations, interfere with leave, or retaliate against employees for asserting their rights, it may violate federal and state employment laws. At Gateway Employment Law, we represent employees whose rights related to - [Workplace Discrimination](https://gelawllc.com/?service=employment-discrimination) - Federal and state laws prohibit employers from making decisions about hiring, promotions, discipline, compensation, or termination based on protected characteristics. When an employer allows bias to influence workplace decisions, it may constitute unlawful employment discrimination. At Gateway Employment Law, we represent employees who have been treated unfairly because of who they are. Discrimination can be - [Sex Harassment](https://gelawllc.com/?service=harassment) - Every employee has the right to work in an environment free from intimidation, coercion, and inappropriate conduct. At Gateway Employment Law, we represent employees who have been subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace. When sexual harassment is severe, persistent, or ignored by management, it may violate federal and state employment laws. Sex harassment can - [Wrongful Termination](https://gelawllc.com/?service=wrongful-termination) - While many employees in the United States work under “at-will” employment, that does not give employers unlimited authority to terminate workers for illegal reasons. When a termination violates employment laws, contractual obligations, or public policy protections, it may constitute wrongful termination. At Gateway Employment Law, we represent employees who believe they were unlawfully fired. Employers - [Workplace Retaliation](https://gelawllc.com/?service=retaliation) - At Gateway Employment Law, we represent employees who were punished for speaking up. If you reported discrimination, harassment, unsafe conditions, wage violations, or other misconduct, and your employer responded by targeting your job, you may have a claim for workplace retaliation under federal or state law. Retaliation is one of the most common and most - [Wage & Hour Violations](https://gelawllc.com/?service=st-louis-metro-east-minimum-wage-and-overtime-lawyers) - Federal and state wage laws require employers to pay workers fairly for their time, including minimum wage, overtime, and compensation for all hours worked. When employers fail to meet these obligations, it may constitute wage and hour violations. At Gateway Employment Law, we represent employees who have not been paid the wages they earned. Wage ## Categories - [Uncategorized](https://gelawllc.com/?cat=1)