People often believe that doing some online research on workplace law will make them perfectly equipped to challenge their employers and take matters into their own hands.  In most cases; they are wrong!  Here are only few of the examples of when and why:

• If you have been treated differently, it does not mean you have been discriminated against unless that treatment is based on a defined set of personal characteristics, such as age, race and religion that forms the basis of a legal claim.
• If you are going to sue your employer, there is always a possibility that you may lose the case and if you do, a judge’s decision becomes public, for everyone to read and comment.
• If you have received a poor performance appraisal or disciplinary letter, it becomes enforceable as soon as it has been given to you even if you disagree with its contents.
• If you are going to challenge your employer’s decision, instead of spending your time on the internet searching for free advice, you should consider consulting with a real employment lawyer before taking any drastic measures.

Daniel Lublin’s latest article More questions and answers from the workplace law trenches can be read in Metro.