Santa Maria Employment Lawyer

Santa Maria Employment Attorney

When you are a part of the workforce in California, the last thing you want is to find yourself being taken advantage of by your employers or the company itself. Wanting to be treated fairly, honestly, and respectfully at work is not an unreasonable standard. It can be frustrating and even somewhat enraging to be the victim of a workplace rights violation, especially one that contradicts the state’s labor laws. If you are in this situation, a Santa Maria employment lawyer can help you.

When Should You Hire an Employment Lawyer?

Generally, you should consider hiring an experienced employment lawyer any time you are dealing with a legal situation involving your workplace that could impact your status with your company. You don’t ever want to be caught unprepared in a situation like this. You may be reluctant to speak out against the violation in question out of fear of losing your job, which is understandable. Nevertheless, you may want to consider taking action, if only to protect yourself from reprisal.

California has extensive labor laws that provide a great deal of protection to all the qualifying workers in the state. You may want to familiarize yourself with your rights under these labor laws so you can immediately recognize when your employer goes out of their way to take advantage of your position or discriminate against you. If that does happen, it is vital that you reach out to an employment lawyer and let them know everything you are dealing with.

When you begin to learn that your employer does not have your interests at heart or is even actively working against you, you should start documenting every instance you can that might connect to the situation at hand. The more evidence you have of wrongdoing, the higher the chances of success in your future legal claim. By protecting yourself and holding your employer accountable, you may also be helping others in situations such as these:

• Wrongful Termination: It is important to keep in mind that California is an at-will employment state, which means that your employer never needs a reason to terminate your position. They can fire you whenever they want unless said firing would violate your employment contract. If that is the case, or you were the victim of a retaliatory or discriminatory firing, you may want to contact an employment lawyer promptly. Learn how to prove wrongful termination cases.
• Workplace Harassment: Always remember that workplace harassment is not just wrong and offensive; it is also illegal under state and federal law. If you report an incident of harassment in the workplace and your employer fails to do anything about it, they could be held legally accountable and suffer severe penalties. Harassment can affect your mental health, impact your job performance, and make you feel inferior in your workplace. Discover how to provide evidence of workplace harassment.
• Wage and Hour Theft: California’s comprehensive labor laws protect employees from many different kinds of violations, including wage and hour theft. It is important to understand exactly how much you are supposed to be paid every pay period. That way, you can recognize any discrepancies and report them to the proper authorities. If your employer is refusing to pay you the full amount you are owed, you may be a victim of wage theft. Understand your right to wages and how to protect them.
• Retaliation: If you take action to report illegal or inappropriate behavior in your workplace and your employer starts treating you differently, that may be considered retaliation. Punishing an employee for doing the right thing is an illegal activity in itself. Retaliation can take the form of a firing, a demotion, a pay cut, or even basic mistreatment. Learn to recognize retaliation in the workplace.

FAQs About Santa Maria,CA Employment Law

Q: How Much Does an Employment Lawyer Cost in California?

A: How much an employment lawyer might cost you in California varies widely. Every employment law case is going to be different. Since every case is different, the amount you will be charged by your lawyer is going to be different, too. Your lawyer’s fee will heavily depend on the complexity of your case, how many resources your lawyer will need to devote to it, as well as their experience and availability.

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

A: As an employee in California, you are afforded a great many rights under the state’s comprehensive labor laws. These laws all work together to foster a safe and secure working environment for qualifying employees as well as offer you protection in the case of a workplace violation. You are afforded the right to work free of discrimination or harassment. You also have the right to be paid for your work on time and without issue.

Q: Should I Tell My Employer I Have an Attorney?

A: It is really up to you if you want to tell your employer that you have contacted an attorney. It may be a good idea to consult your employment lawyer first so they can be aware of your impending situation. Once your employer puts you in a situation where you feel you need to protect your rights, you may wish to inform them that you have a lawyer. This may trigger retaliation from your employer, but that could also help your case in the long term.

Q: What Is an Employment Lawyer Called?

A: Generally, employment lawyers are just referred to as employment lawyers. Regardless of what they are called, they represent employees who are going through difficult situations with their employers. They help employees learn about their rights as workers and represent them in situations like workplace discrimination, retaliation, wage theft, and more.

Reach Out to an Employment Lawyer Today

Trying to deal with the fallout of a labor law violation on your own can be exhausting, confusing, and intimidating. Having someone who understands the complexities of labor laws and can offer you consistent advice really can make all the difference, especially when the time comes to seek legal action against your employer.

Canlas Law Group, APLC, understands the kind of legal help you are going to need for your situation. We can gather evidence, protect your interests, and make sure you aren’t taken advantage of further. Contact us to speak with a team member about your case.