Your livelihood plays a vital role in ensuring you can provide yourself and your family with life’s necessities. Understandably, it can be distressing when you experience injustice at work or when you lose your job. Every working environment should be a place where employees’ rights are protected and respected. When there is a violation of employment law, you have the right to speak up against illegal practices and seek compensation.
If you have experienced mistreatment or unlawful action at your workplace, a Los Angeles labor and employment lawyer may be able to hold the responsible party accountable. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC to discuss your legal options with a member of our team today. Call (888) 778-6391 for a free case review.
The Law Protects Employees in Los Angeles
There are unique challenges involved when pursuing claims involving employer-employee issues. When it comes to the rights and responsibilities of both parties, employment law takes precedence. Concerns such as business contracts, work hours, discrimination, hiring, firing, and other workplace matters fall under this practice area. If a worker decides to file a lawsuit against the employer, there are specific steps to take before proceeding. A Los Angeles labor and employment lawyer can help guide you so you can decide on the best course of action given your situation.
Apart from federal labor and employment laws, statewide labor laws are also in place to protect employees in Los Angeles and California. Each state is free to pass its employment laws, and California is one of those states that places a high value on the welfare of workers. It has more laws that cover employment relationships compared to other states, with the number continuing to grow. Some examples of state employment laws that protect you include the following:
- California Family Rights Act which makes it mandatory for employers with 50 or more workers to allow an employee to go on childbirth leave without fear of losing the job
- California Fair Employment and Housing Act which makes it unlawful to discriminate against applicants and workers based on age, gender, sex, race, or other protected characteristics if the employer has five or more employees
- California Labor Code which is composed of statutes governing the rights and responsibilities of employers and workers in the state
Federal laws apply to every employer and employee in the country and among the most important are the following:
- Wage and Hour Laws
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Whistleblower and retaliation laws
- Fair Labor Standards Act
- Occupational Safety and Health Act
Since several employment laws could apply in your case, consider reaching out to a Los Angeles labor and employment lawyer to understand your legal options.
Understanding Employment Discrimination
In essence, discrimination is treating a person differently from his or her peers due to a protected characteristic. Under both federal and California employment law, discrimination based on the following is unacceptable:
- Gender
- Age
- Disability
- Pregnancy
- Religion
- Marital status
- Sexual orientation
- Other protected characteristics
Moreover, your employer does not have the right to test you for genetic markers because it is against the law in California to discriminate against a person who has a genetic disposition to disease. Likewise, it is generally illegal in the state to limit the language you use within the workplace. California has relatively broader laws than federal statutes concerning civil rights, like discrimination against disabilities and sexual harassment. You are entitled to take legal action if you believe you experienced discrimination at work. Contact a Los Angeles labor and employment lawyer for legal assistance if you are preparing to file a claim against your employer.
Learn How to Recognize Discrimination
In order to take action against discrimination in the workplace, you first have to recognize it. There are times when the signs are not easily noticeable, but certain conduct, behaviors, actions, and situations already indicate some form of discrimination. Some common examples include:
- Disqualifying an individual for a job or promotion because of their race, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation
- Refusing to grant raises or benefits to particular employees
- Excluding an employee from meetings
- Awarding different salaries to two employees who have equal qualifications
- Denying employees with disabilities reasonable accommodations
- Discriminating when it comes to retirement plans and leaves
If you are still unsure whether you have been a target of discrimination at your workplace, seek the counsel of a Los Angeles labor and employment lawyer to help shed light on your situation. Contact the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC for a free case evaluation today.
For a free legal consultation with a labor and employment lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (888) 778-6391
Identifying Retaliation
Under labor and employment law, retaliation is when an employer imposes some form of punishment on an employee who takes action against safety code violations, discrimination, embezzlement, fraud, or other unlawful activities in the workplace. The punishment could be in the form of unjust termination, limitation of opportunities, or docked pay. It can be frustrating when your employer decides to punish you for exposing wrongdoings, so do not hesitate to speak with a Los Angeles labor and employment lawyer if you suffered damages. Retaliation cases can be complicated and time-sensitive, and the sooner you discuss your case with an attorney, the sooner you receive helpful legal advice.
Los Angeles Labor and Employment Lawyer Near Me (888) 778-6391
Wage & Hour Laws
Employers in California should comply with both federal and state wage and hour laws. The laws cover critical aspects of employment rights, such as overtime, minimum wage, breaks, and child labor. Wage and hour laws are there to ensure fair treatment of employees, as well as prevent workers from experiencing other adverse effects that infringement of their rights may bring. Speak with a team member at Ben Crump Law, PLLC if you want to discuss filing a claim or if your employer retaliated against you for reporting violations of the wage and hour law.
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We Work with You to Resolve Your Labor and Employment Case
Whether you are just planning to file a claim or you are already in the middle of the process, Ben Crump Law, PLLC is here to help determine the at-fault party and help you pursue compensation for unfair labor and employment practices.
Call our office today at (888) 778-6391 to tell us more about your situation. We do not shy away from the tough cases and you pay nothing up front or out of pocket. We take our fee from the settlement or court award we secure on your behalf.
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