Central Coast Employment Law Attorney

Central Coast Employment Lawyer

Everyone working in every industry in California has various legal protections regarding their employment at both the state and federal levels. The state has some of the most robust employee protections coded into state law in the country, but this does not prevent workers from encountering serious disputes with their employers. If you work along the Central Coast and believe your employer has acted illegally, harmed you in any way, or violated state or US law in regard to your employment, the team at Central Coast Legal Services can help you understand your best options for legal recourse.

Legal Counsel for Employment Disputes on the Central Coast

If you experienced any type of illegal discrimination, harassment, or mistreatment at work due to your constitutionally protected personal qualities, you likely have grounds to file a federal complaint through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Likewise, if your employer has refused or failed to pay you correctly or violated any element of California’s employment laws, you could have grounds for a civil action against them. A Central Coast employment attorney is the ideal resource to consult whatever your situation entails.

Central Coast Legal Services has years of experience helping workers assert their state and federal rights as employees and holding many employers accountable for their negligent, illegal, and unethical treatment of their employees. If you believe you have grounds for any type of employment-related legal action along the Central Coast, our team has the experience and resources you need on your side to reach the best possible outcome.

Employment Discrimination and Harassment

The EEOC is the federal agency responsible for upholding federal employment discrimination and harassment laws. It is illegal for any US employer to make job-related decisions based on an employee’s protected personal qualities. These include race, sex, age, medical status, religion, disability, and more. Whenever an employee is mistreated, forced to endure a hostile work environment, or subjected to harassment on the basis of their protected personal qualities, this could form the basis of an extensive employment dispute, a claim to the EEOC, and substantial liability for the employer.

If you have experienced any form of employment discrimination or harassment on the Central Coast, you will need to file an EEOC claim before proceeding with any legal action against your employer. Central Coast Legal Services will help our client file their EEOC claim, respond to any requests for information or documentation from the EEOC’s investigators, and guide our clients through any necessary subsequent legal proceedings. If the EEOC determines an employment discrimination or harassment claim is legitimate, they may initiate legal action against the employer in question on behalf of the claimant or issue the claimant a Notice of Right to Sue that allows them to proceed with legal action against the at-fault party.

A successful discrimination or harassment lawsuit can be very difficult to win, but success with your claim can not only yield compensation for your damages but also prevent others from facing similar experiences. For example, you could recover compensation for back pay, lost benefits, and more if you were forced to quit or wrongfully terminated. In addition, you can also recover compensation for the emotional distress you experienced.

Wage and Hour Claims

Employers are technically subject to the federal minimum wage law, but the state enforces a higher minimum wage than the federal requirement. This means that if you are employed, you have the right to state minimum wage, not just the federal minimum wage. In addition, state law upholds different wage and hour requirements for different types of employees; there are also specific laws pertaining to overtime, mandatory reporting time, and more.

If you have any reason to believe your employer has not met their legal obligations in regard to your pay, you need to consult a Central Coast employment attorney as soon as possible. Some of the most common wage and hour violations reported include:

• Failure to provide accurate pay stubs. Employers must provide employees with pay stubs that clearly outline all hours worked, pay rate, deductions, and all other pertinent details for every pay period.
• Taking illegal deductions from employee checks. Employers will typically deduct payroll taxes, and employees may also elect to have certain employer-sponsored benefit premiums deducted from their pay. Employers must provide complete records for all deductions, and any unlawful deductions can form the foundation of an employment dispute.
• Failure to pay checks on time, including final checks after employment ends. State law requires an employer to provide an employee’s final check within 72 hours of giving notice of leaving or termination, regardless of the end of the employment relationship.
• Failure to pay overtime or double time correctly. Most workers who exceed eight hours in one workday or more than 40 hours in one work week will qualify for overtime, typically paid at 1.5 times the employee’s usual hourly rate. For example, if an employee usually earns $40 per hour, their overtime rate would likely be $60 per hour, and if they qualify for double pay, they would be paid $80 per hour.

Unfortunately, many employees are not paid correctly for extended periods without realizing it, and once they recognize what their employers have done, they may have suffered substantial losses. If you have concerns about your employer’s handling of your pay, our team will review the details of your situation and let you know if you have grounds for legal action.

Find Your Legal Team Today

It can be daunting for some people to imagine taking legal action against their employers. Others feel trapped by their circumstances, knowing their employers are not upholding their legal obligations but afraid to act out of fear of losing their jobs. It’s understandable to worry about the potential effects of pursuing any type of claim against your employer, but our team will help you approach this difficult situation with confidence and peace of mind. We can review the details of your experience and help you gather whatever evidence you may need to hold your employer accountable for their actions.

Navigating any employment dispute can be extremely difficult, and time is critical for anyone considering this type of legal action. Central Coast Legal Services is ready to provide the comprehensive and supportive legal counsel you need to confidently approach your case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation if you are ready to discuss your legal options with an experienced Central Coast employment attorney.