Inglewood Employment Lawyer

Inglewood Employment Law Attorney

If you are an employee in California, it is important that you understand your protected rights in the workplace. If you are in the Inglewood area, an Inglewood employment lawyer may be the right resource for you. An employment lawyer could provide needed support in many ways. All employees have rights, and employees all deserve a legal team that is ready and willing to investigate, and act, if they believe their rights have been violated.

Defining Employment Law

Employment law covers almost any situation that falls between an employer and their employee or a situation that arises when an employee is on the clock. California has implemented numerous protections for employees, and employers are responsible for following these protections. It can feel overwhelming to confront your employer if you feel your rights have been violated, but getting restitution will be impossible without taking that step.

Employee Protected Leave

One of the rights that employees have in California is protected leave. California is a very generous state when it comes to protected leave for employees. The Federal Family and Medical Leave Act entitles eligible employees to take leave for a family or medical reason. The California Family Rights Act offers similar protections at the state level. During this leave, employees are protected from termination. Also, the act allows the employee to continue their group health insurance coverage during their leave.

Employees are also permitted to take leave for pregnancy and baby births, as well as for military-related leaves. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act serves to protect employees who need time off from their regular jobs because of their military service. The act also protects these employees from facing unfair discrimination in the workplace. Also, employers are required to reinstate employees who take up to five years of leave for service.

The state of California has several laws and regulations in place meant to protect employees and also encourage them to take the necessary time off. Unfortunately, employers sometimes either avoid following these regulations or are unaware of their existence. As an employee working in California, it could be to your benefit to contact an experienced employment lawyer who can review the applicable employment laws with you and determine how they apply in your specific situation.

Harassment and Discrimination

Harassment occurs in the workplace when an employee experiences unwelcome conduct such as offensive jokes, name-calling, unwarranted pictures or objects, assaults, or threats based upon a protected characteristic. Discrimination occurs when an employee experiences differential treatment because of their race, sex, age, ancestry/national origin, age (40 and over), disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status etc. It is a sad reality that many employees face harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Events related to harassment and discrimination happen far too often.

Harassment and discrimination can be small instances or remarks, when taken together, however, these small remarks and instances can be a big deal and should be taken seriously. If harassment or discrimination is not properly addressed in the workplace, it can lead to a hostile work environment where employees do not feel safe. Employees have the right to a safe and secure working environment where their rights are respected and protected.

There are times when events like this happen in the workplace in Inglewood and other cities in California, and they are reported, but human resources or the employer does not take any action. If this is the case, or you do not feel comfortable going to your employer during one of these situations, you should contact a harassment attorney who can help. It is also important to note that employees are protected from facing any retaliation from their employer because they file a harassment or discrimination case.

Wage and Hour Rights

Wage and Hour cases are becoming more common in the state of California. This increase in caseload could be attributable to the growing gig economy. Workers are always fighting the never-ending battle between employee and independent contractor status. This can make wages more complicated to sort out, and it often requires the experience and acumen of an attorney who understands employment law to assist.

When it comes to wage and hour laws, it is often difficult for an employee to know how or if their rights have been violated. Several important concepts related to these topics must be understood, including:

• Minimum wage requirements in California. California has one of the highest minimum wage requirements in the country. The minimum wage rate serves as the baseline rate of pay for employers who offer hourly employment to eligible employees. Effective January 1st, 2024, the minimum wage requirement in California is $16 per hour. The minimum wage rate may be higher in some cities and counties, but the state’s overall requirement is $16 per hour.
• Overtime pay. Overtime pay applies to non-exempt employees who work more than eight (8) hours within a single workday or forty (40) hours in a work week. California overtime laws mandate that any additional hours worked beyond the standard working hours are to be paid at one and a half times the employee’s regular rate of pay. These overtime laws in California are in place not only to discourage employers from overworking their employees but also to reward hardworking employees who work extra hours above their normal work schedule.
• On-Call or Standby Time pay. Another important concept for employees to understand is the on-call or standby pay rules. Under California law, employees are eligible to receive pay for the time they spend waiting or on standby. This can include periods of time where the employee is not actively engaged in the functions of their job, but the employee is still required to be present at the place of work.

FAQs

Q: What Are My Rights as an Employee in California?

A: An employee in California has several rights that are protected by law. A California employee has the right to a safe work environment. This means that the workplace should be free from any hazardous or dangerous conditions that could lead to injury. If an employee experiences retaliation for raising concerns about workplace health or safety issues, this conduct is protected by law. An experienced employment attorney can assist you in bringing claims against your employer for retaliation. Employees also have the right to a reasonable amount of privacy while in the workplace. This could include an employee’s personal items, such as their cell phone or locker. However, when it comes to company-provided items such as computers or equipment, privacy rights may not apply.

Q: What Does Reporting Time in California Mandate?

A: The Reporting Time rule in California states that if an employer requires an employee to report to work more than one time in the same workday and that work time is less than two hours, the employee is entitled to receive at least two hours worth of pay at the employee’s regular pay rate. Even if the employee did not truly work at least two hours during their second shift, they will still be entitled to two hours of pay. This rule is in place to protect employees from exploitation by their employers.

Q: What Are the Fair Labor Laws in California?

A: One of the fair labor laws in California is the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. This act mandates that employers are barred from discriminating against employees on the basis of their race/color, ancestry/national origin, religion, sex/gender, age (over 40), disability, sexual orientation, military status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Additionally, employees are protected against any harassment or retaliation based upon protected characteristics or conduct. There is also the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act which allows employees and their families the ability to use group health benefits in the event that they lose employer-sponsored insurance coverage.

Q: How Can an Employment Attorney Help?

A: An employment attorney can help in many ways regarding your legal case. Some services that an attorney can provide include analyzing your case to determine the necessary next steps, negotiating with your employer on your behalf, representing you in court, and helping you file the requisite paperwork. Having an experienced employment attorney on your side could make a massive difference in the outcome of your case. An attorney can help you recover the damages you deserve.

Get the Legal Help You Need

It is important that employers are held accountable for their actions in the workplace, especially if those actions lead to a hostile work environment. If you believe that you have been involved in some type of wrongful action at work, such as discrimination, harassment, sexual assault, or wrongful termination, you may be able to seek financial compensation for your harms. It is critical that you speak with a qualified employment lawyer to explore your legal options.

The legal team at Hennig Kramer LLP, has experience helping workers resolve their legal cases against their employers. While most cases are settled outside of court, a small portion of cases are decided at trial by juries. Our experienced employment attorneys can help you navigate the complicated world of litigation to seek the best results for your claims. No matter what steps it takes to get your legal case resolved, it’s important that you have the right legal team ready to assist you. Contact us today to speak with our team.