Jay P. Lechner Esq.

Mr. Lechner is a Florida Bar board certified labor and employment lawyer with years experience representing both employees and employers in all aspects of employment law matters. He was recently selected 2020 Lawyer of the Year, Employment Law - Mgmt., St Petersburg (US News & World Report).

Mr. Lechner’s expert speciality extends to all employment disputes, including wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination including but not limited to age, race, gender, national origin, overtime and wage/hour payment issues, retaliation and whistleblower claims, as well as restrictive covenants, unfair business practices, related state tort and contract issues and other types of employment litigation.

Before attending law school, Mr. Lechner spent several years in management and served as a volunteer firefighter.

Call him for your free consultation today!

University of Florida Levin College of Law

J.D. | Law

2001

with honors

University of Florida

B.A.

1990

Founding Attorney

Lechner Law

Current

Fair Labor Standards Act Treatise

Bloomberg

January 1, 2019

Adjunct Instructor - Employment Law, Tampa, Florida

2021

University of South Florida

Adjunct Instructor - Employment Law, MCOB School of Information Systems & Management

Board Certified, Labor & Employment

The Florida Bar

2009

Lawyer of the Year, Employment Law - Management

Best Lawyers

2020

Saint Petersburg, FL

Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers Publication

2019

Selected To Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2019 5+ years

Volunteer of the Year

Florida Bar Labor & Employment Section

2018

Rising Star

Super Lawyers Publication

2011

Selected To Rising Stars: 2009 - 2011

Legal Elite

Florida Trend Magazine

American Bar Association

Member

Current

Hillsborough County Bar Association

Member

Current

Florida Bar Labor & Employment Section

Executive Council Member

2013 - Current

Florida Bar Journal Editorial Board

Chair

2003 - 2004

Florida

Since 2001

Middle District of Florida

Northern District of Florida

Southern District of Florida

11th Circuit Court of Appeals

• Free Consultation
• Contingent Fees

Employment Law

Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination

Business Law

Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes

White Collar Crime

Civil Rights

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Discrimination, Employment, Fair Housing, Police Misconduct, Privacy Law

• Labor & Employment

Q. Can my job force me to get a COVID-19 vaccination?

18 November 2021

A: To clarify the previous responses, the Florida legislature has passed a bill that will prohibit a private employer from imposing a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for any full-time, part-time, or contract employee without providing individual exemptions that allow an employee to opt out on the basis of medical reasons, including, but not limited to, pregnancy or anticipated pregnancy; religious reasons; COVID-19 immunity; periodic testing; and the use of employer-provided personal protective equipment. The Governor is expected to sign it into law this week. To claim an exemption based on pregnancy, the employee will need to submit an exemption statement signed by a physician or a physician assistant stating his or her opinion that the COVID-19 vaccination is not in the best medical interest of the employee. If an employer receives a completed exemption statement, the employer will be required to allow the employee to opt out of the employer's COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Failure to do so could result in fines against the employer up to $50,000 per violation. Contact an employment attorney for more information.

Q. I was told by my employer that if I forgot to clock in I would not be paid for the time I was off the clock is that lega

23 August 2021

A: No. If the employer knew or should have known that you were working, you are entitled to be paid for the time worked. However, you could be subject to discipline, including termination, for failing to adhere to their time clocking policy.

Q. Is my employer required to pay me for my quarantine?

16 August 2021

A: Good question. Under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), the answer would have been "no" (unless your employer fell under a statutory exemption). However, effective January 1, 2021, FFCRA paid leave became optional, meaning covered employers were no longer required to participate, but if they did, they would continue to receive tax credits for the payments made to employees on leave for covered reasons.