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Woodland Hills Employment Lawyer
No one should experience discrimination while working or worry about not being compensated accurately for their labor. Fortunately, workers have several forms of recourse against employers. The California Department of Industrial Relations is packed full of resources for employees whose rights have been violated by their employers.
Between the numerous forms, laws, and claims processes, a person attempting to fight against wrongful treatment can become overwhelmed. California labor laws can be complex and challenging for anyone to understand. An employment lawyer can help you stand up for your rights. Quality legal representation is vital for anyone pursuing action against an employer who has violated his or her rights.
Why Should I Contact An Employment Attorney?
When an employee suspects something is wrong but receives no guidance from their employer, they should consider getting legal counsel from an experienced employment lawyer. Employment attorneys ensure that all employees are treated respectfully and that employers follow labor laws.
An employment lawyer can help resolve issues that arise in the workplace. He or she can assist an employee in determining if their rights have been infringed on and whether additional action is warranted. When working with a client, an employment attorney will ensure that all internal options have been exhausted, such as following the employee handbook’s reporting procedures for harassment and discrimination.
Common Employment Law Violations in Woodland Hills
California employment laws are put in place to protect workers from exploitative practices. Numerous workplace practices can violate employees’ rights and contribute to a toxic work environment. Common employment law violations that can occur in Woodland Hills, California, include:
Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination involves firing an employee for an illegal reason, usually based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or disability. Wrongful termination may also be called wrongful discharge, wrongful firing, wrongful dismissal, illegal discharge, and illegal dismissal.
Harassment
Harassment is conduct that involves unwelcome, offensive behavior towards someone. This behavior becomes a condition of continued employment and creates a hostile work environment.
Discrimination
Discrimination involves unfair treatment based on an employee’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, older age, disability, or genetic information. It usually presents as harassment from managers, co-workers, or others in the workplace.
Wage Law Violations
Wage law violations are a variety of wage-related issues such as paying below the federal minimum wage. These violations typically involve failing to pay employees accurately for their time worked.
Illegal Retaliation
Illegal retaliation occurs when an employer takes tangible action against an employee for exercising their rights under anti-discrimination, whistleblower, or other laws. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations make it illegal to retaliate against job applicants or workers who claim their right to be free of discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
Contract Violations
Contract violations occur when either party fails to fulfill their contractual obligations as determined by the contract terms. An example of this would be denying an employee their benefits.
Government Agencies That Handle Labor Law Violations
While businesses and employers have a lot of power, employees are not powerless to fight against them should they need to. Many government entities are in place to resolve employment-related disputes or hold employers accountable for their wrongdoings.
U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor is serious about enforcing labor laws. Businesses who breach standards in safety and health, minimum wage and overtime, workers’ compensation, child labor laws, and more could face harsh penalties and even face jail time.
Employees who believe their employer is not paying them the correct wage or overtime compensation may submit a complaint with the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor. This division investigates labor law infractions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It also has the power to make its findings public and to discuss the results with the media.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
The EEOC is responsible for investigating employees’ discrimination complaints. They will determine if discrimination occurred and require the employer to remedy the situation with the affected employee should they be found guilty. Anti-discrimination laws have steep penalties, so atonement often includes compensatory and punitive damages.
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
OSHA mandates that all companies provide a safe working environment for their employees. Their regulations include prohibitions on hazardous equipment and substances, as well as harmful working conditions. Following an employee’s complaint, OSHA will begin an investigation into the incident. The investigator will visit the workplace in question and conduct a comprehensive search of the premises for any violations of labor laws. Penalties for violations can cost companies thousands of dollars in fines depending on the severity. Committing certain violations could result in the company being forced to pay fines for each instance of the violation and potentially for each day it is present until it is fixed.
Get Legal Representation from an Experienced Employment Lawyer in Woodland Hills
Handling an employment law case can be troubling on your own. Companies often have their own legal teams and strategies to handle cases in their favor. It would help if you had someone on your side to defend your claim and stand up for your rights. At Blackstone Law, we are passionate about fighting for you and your rights. When your employer violates your rights, they put you in a precarious situation.
As an employee, you are entitled to proper compensation for your work and respect regardless of your race, religion, age, or sex. Protect your rights using the best legal representation that Woodland Hills has to offer. Leading California labor and employment lawyers make up the Blackstone Law team. Using our years of experience and excellent resources, we can assist you in fighting for the wages you are due or holding your employer accountable for their actions.
We are happy to offer award-winning legal counsel to our clients, and we will battle to help you be fairly compensated for your efforts. Let us fight for your rights. Reach out to our legal team by calling us at (310) 956-4054 or through our contact form.
