Your Rights On The Job In Southern California

There are laws that protect your rights. These laws are established both on federal (across the entire United States) and state-levels (specific to employers and employees in California). The team at Work Injury Law Group works to ensure that you are protected and paid what the law requires.

​What’s Different About? Work Injury Law Group?

Our team of attorneys is both personable and extremely knowledgeable about California employment law. This means that we not only take the time to listen to what happened or is happening to you, but also advocate for you. With us, you work one-on-one with your attorney. We always work hard with your best interests as the No. 1 priority. As trial attorneys, we are perceptive as to when to negotiate a settlement, and when your case needs to go to court.

How do I know if I have an employment case?

If you can identify with any of the actionable causes discussed below, you may have a viable employment claim.

• ​Wage and hour: In California, in 2022, the minimum wage is $15/hr. Any hours worked over 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week is to be paid at time and half (1.5x the hourly rate). All employees who work an eight-hour shift are entitled to a paid break. Your employer must pay you 2 times your regular rate of pay for any time worked more than 12 hours in a day.
• Harassment: Harassment can be sexual in nature or based on race, sexual orientation, gender, physical or mental disability or any other protected characteristic. The harassment can be from a boss, supervisor, co-worker, customer or from multiple sources.
• Retaliation: It is illegal under both California law and federal law for your employer to retaliate against you for filing a claim with the Labor Commissioner or the Department of Labor, filing a lawsuit against them, or filing complaints and/or “whistle-blowing” about safety, harassment or wage and hour violations. Actions that constitute retaliation include but are not limited to firing, demotion or reducing your work hours.

If any of these things are happening at your place of employment, document as much as you can. Then get in touch with our team. We offer a free consultation to help you understand your rights.

​Understanding What Discrimination Is

Employment discrimination is when your employer treats you less favorably than other employees because of a characteristic or trait. These traits are typically what make you who you are.

In California, it is against the law for an employer to discriminate against an employee based on your race or skin color, national origin or ancestry. It’s illegal to discriminate against you because of your marital status, pregnancy, sex or age. Your employer also cannot treat you worse than other employees because of your physical or mental disability. It’s also illegal for your employer to discriminate against you because of your:

• Gender, gender identity or gender expression
• Financial status or because you went through bankruptcy
• Genetic information
• Refusal to sign a release of medical records

If you feel there is evidence that demonstrates that your employer is treating you differently based on one of your protected characteristics, then please contact us. Be mindful to save documents, texts, emails and names of potential witnesses with contact info, etc., that will help support your claims. We can also help if you were hurt on the job.

Work With The Dedicated Employment Law Team

You are not alone! Our team is here to help you understand and fight for your rights as an employee in California. Call us for a free consultation at 310-299-8945. We will answer all of your questions and tell you what your next best steps are. You can also reach us via our online contact form. Located in Lawndale, we help workers throughout Southern California.