La Habra Employment Lawyers

There are a number of reasons why you may need a La Habra employment lawyer. It is common for employers to mistreat their employees either through discrimination or in an attempt to cheat the system and save money. If an employer has wronged you, please do not hesitate to discuss your situation, confidentially, with a skilled La Habra employment attorney.

Wrongful Termination

Have you been wrongfully fired by your employer? Despite California being an “at-will” state, it is possible for an employee to be wrongfully let go. Technically, an employer in an at-will state can let go of any employee who is not currently under contract. There are cases, however, in which a former employee may have a case against his or her former employer. Was the worker let go because of his or her age, race, disability, religion or sexual orientation?

It is not illegal for an employer to let you go because he or she simply does not get along well with you. It is illegal, however, to discriminate against an employee based on his race, age, disability, religion, nationality or sexual orientation. It is also wrong and illegal to retaliate against an employee who legally acted as a whistleblower. Employees cannot, for example, be let go because they filed a legitimate workers compensation claim or a sexual harassment claim or filed a complaint with the government about dangerous conditions at the workplace.

Discrimination

Sadly, discrimination is still common in a number of workplaces in La Habra. It is simply not right for an employer to base decisions regarding hiring, firing, job training and promotions on prejudice, bias or discrimination. For example, it is common for someone to be let go because of his or her age. While it may make sense for an employer to want to bring in “new blood,” it is not legal to base a decision solely on a worker's age.

There are many other examples of discrimination in the workplace. Some employers may discriminate when considering job applications. Some employers do not even consider an applicant if he or she has a disability. Sadly, it is still common for employees to pay women less than men for the same job or for an employer to treat certain employees differently because of their race. All forms of discrimination in the workplace are wrong and employers who foster such a discriminatory environment and culture at work should be held accountable for their actions.

Wage Issues

Do you think that you and your co-workers are being cheated out of overtime pay? Many employers label their workers as “salaried employees” in an attempt to escape paying them overtime. Just because you are told you are a salaried employee, it does not mean that you are automatically not qualified to earn overtime pay. In fact, most workers who are doing job-related activities for more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week are eligible for overtime pay. There are exceptions to this rule including supervisors who are in charge of multiple employees and who have the authority to make important business decisions. There are also instances where workers are asked to work through their legally mandated breaks. It is understandable for an employer to want to get the most out of their employees, but violating the law by refusing breaks, lunch periods or overtime pay is wrong and illegal.

Protect your Rights

It is important to remember that all workers have a right to discuss their legal rights and options and that there are laws in place to protect whistleblowers and advocates for safe workplaces. The skilled La Habra employment lawyers at Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys can help you understand if you have a case against your current or former employer. Please call us at 949-203-3814 for a free consultation and more information about your situation. If your employer has discriminated against you or has failed to pay you for work done, there is a chance that other workers have experienced similar wrongdoing. Your action may help protect not only your rights, but also the rights and well being of your fellow workers.