Laguna Beach Employment Lawyer
Laguna Beach Employment ATTORNEY
The labor laws in California are generally fiercely protective of the state’s employees, but there are always certain employers who might go out of their way to avoid treating their workers with respect under these laws. As a worker in California, you have certain rights that cannot be infringed upon by your employer without significant legal recourse. If your workers’ rights may have been violated, speak with a Laguna Beach employment lawyer today.
What Can an Employment Lawyer Do for You?
Above all else, an employment lawyer’s goal is to preserve the rights of their clients under California labor laws. You shouldn’t have to worry about rights violations when you are just trying to do your job. Employment lawyers help their clients through significant times of legal strife involving their employers, their rights, and their jobs. Many of the workers dealing with legal situations may be unaware of the full scope of their rights as California workers.
Some employers may use this unawareness to their advantage and try to manipulate or gaslight their employees into thinking they don’t have any rights. If you are ever concerned that you are being taken advantage of, you should bring these concerns to an employment lawyer. They can help you understand your rights and fight to preserve them. California’s labor laws were established to protect employees in situations involving discrimination, unfairness, and more.
It is absolutely necessary for a productive work environment that you understand and stand up for your rights as a California worker, especially when your employer tries to infringe upon those rights for their own benefit. Recognizing potential situations that could turn into a legal case against your employer can help you prepare for the worst. Here are some possible situations that could occur in the Laguna Beach workplace and might require the aid of an employment lawyer to fully resolve :
Meal and Rest Breaks
Every qualifying employee in California is entitled to rest breaks throughout their shift. In fact, it is illegal under California state law for employers not to provide their workers with the opportunity to take breaks during their shifts. It is also illegal for employers to prevent qualifying employees from taking an unpaid meal break for at least 30 minutes if they have worked for five hours straight.
It’s no secret that employees need rest to stay functional throughout the day. Above all, employers should always treat their employees as fellow human beings. If your employer is refusing to allow you some time to rest or not letting you take a meal break, you may have significant cause for legal action due to labor exploitation. Consult an employment lawyer to find out if you have a strong enough case to pursue such a claim.
Workplace Discrimination
It is a federal crime to discriminate against an employee in the workplace by singling out their protected class. Such behavior is prohibited by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). You should see a skilled employment attorney if you have been discriminated against as a result of your:
- Race
- Age
- Skin color
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Disability
- Religion
- Ancestry
- National origin
- Pregnancy
Accusing your employer of workplace discrimination is a big deal, so you want to make sure you have sufficiently compelling evidence. Before pursuing a legal claim, you may want to speak with your direct supervisor or your company’s HR department. If that does nothing, you may want to file a complaint with the EEOC and speak with an employment lawyer about filing a legal claim for workplace discrimination.
Overtime Violations
Ethics Investigations
Disability Discrimination
Family and Medical Leave
Wrongful Termination
FAQs
Q: How Do I Know If I Am Entitled to a Workplace Accommodation?
A: California state law requires your employer to investigate whether you are entitled to a reasonable accommodation. Every employer in the state that has five or more employees must provide reasonable accommodations to anyone who has a mental or physical disability. Employers do not have to accommodate if the request is considered unreasonable. If you have a documented disability, the paperwork can help your employer make a determination.
Q: How Do I Know If My Employer Has Retaliated Against Me?
A: You will know if your employer is retaliating against you if you suddenly start experiencing undue hardships at work after going to the authorities in the company about illegal activity or harassment. If your workplace is suddenly hostile, your pay has decreased, or you have been demoted, that can be a telltale sign of retaliation. Be sure to document this treatment as much as you can. Then, see an employment lawyer about what to do next.
Q: What Is Considered a Hostile Work Environment in California?
A: A hostile work environment in California is considered any workplace where you feel unsafe, harassed, threatened, intimidated, or uncomfortable. Any number of awful treatments can lead to a hostile work environment, such as:
- Bullying
- Sexual harassment
- Workplace discrimination
- Unwanted touching
- Various offensive conduct
A hostile work environment will impact your job performance and could lead to penalties from your employer. You may want to report this behavior.
Q: What Are Three Rights Workers Have in California?
A: Thanks to California’s protective labor laws, workers in the state have a lot of rights that are well-protected by statewide legislation. Three of these rights include the right to paid sick leave, the right to a fair wage, and the right to family and medical leave. Those are just three of the many rights California workers are entitled to.
Contact an Employment Lawyer Today
It is a big decision to bring legal action against your employer for a workplace violation. It should not be taken lightly. You may want to consider consulting an experienced employment lawyer to find out what your options may be for pursuing legal action. A good lawyer can help you understand the details of your claim and figure out what measures to take next.
Diefer Law Group, P.C., understands the kind of support you will need to pursue such a claim. We can develop your case further, look for evidence you might need, and make sure you aren’t taken advantage of by your employer. Contact us to schedule a consultation.