Located in the heart of California’s Central Valley, Hanford is one of the region’s most cities. It serves as a vital commercial center for Kings County, offering various industries and employment opportunities for people throughout the region. While working in Hanford offers a lot of opportunities, it also carries the risk that you can run into situations where your employer violates your rights in the workplace.
In these unfortunate–yet common–situations, a good lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and protect your rights as an employee. Whether you are dealing with discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, or any other employment-related issue, selecting the right lawyer is crucial.
Let Maison Law Handle Your Hanford Employment Law Case
Victims of workplace rights violations in Hanford can often feel isolated, targeted, and alone. At Maison Law, our team of experienced Hanford employment lawyers wants you to know that you’re not alone. We understand how difficult this situation is, and are committed to protecting your rights in the workplace. We have a proven track record of success in handling a wide range of employment law cases throughout Hanford. Contact us today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation, and let us handle your employment law case.
Hanford Employment Statistics
Working in Hanford, with its variety of different industries and jobs, is typically a fruitful experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hanford enjoys an employment rate of over 53%. This workforce is dispersed throughout many different job sectors, with most of the economy centering on agriculture and production. This is largely due to Hanford’s location in the Central Valley, making it an ideal spot for farmers and laborers. Hanford’s agriculture industry is a major hub for local workers, offering jobs like:
- Farm workers
- Crop supervisors
- Tractor operators
- Irrigation technicians
In addition to working directly on farms, there are also opportunities for employment in agriculture-related businesses, such as:
- Processing plants
- Distribution centers
- Agricultural research organizations
Outside of the agriculture industry, there are plenty of other job opportunities throughout Hanford in some of the following industries:
- Healthcare – The city has many healthcare facilities, including Adventist Health Hanford and Kings Rehabilitation Center, providing employment opportunities for healthcare professionals.
- Education – Hanford is home to several school districts and West Hills College Lemoore, providing jobs for teachers, administrators, and support staff.
- Government – As the most populous city and county seat of Kings County, local government is another strong industry. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the California Department of Transportation are major employers in Hanford.
- Retail – The city has many retail establishments, including the Hanford Mall and other shopping centers, providing jobs for sales associates, managers, and other retail professionals.
- Manufacturing – Hanford has several manufacturing companies that produce a variety of products, including food products, textiles, and plastics.
- Construction – With ongoing construction projects in the area, there are employment opportunities for construction workers, architects, and engineers.
- Hospitality – The city has many hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses that provide jobs for servers, chefs, front desk clerks, and other hospitality professionals.
- Professional services – Hanford has many law firms, accounting firms, and other professional service providers, providing employment opportunities for attorneys, accountants, and other professionals.
No matter what Hanford industry you work in, simply by virtue of being a city in California offers you extensive legal protections under the California Labor Code. Understanding how these laws apply to your workplace is important, because it may help you watch out for instances where your employer violates your rights.
California Employment Law and Working in Hanford
Because there is such a variety of different workplaces in Hanford, there is often some confusion when it comes to California’s various employment laws. However, California has some of the most employee-friendly labor laws in the country, offering numerous protections for workers against a variety of different violations. While every workplace is unique, these laws seek to provide uniform protections for all employees. Here is a quick overview of California employment law in Hanford:
- Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) – This law prohibits discrimination in employment based on a variety of protected categories, including race, gender, age, religion, and disability. It also protects workers from harassment and unlawful retaliation.
- California Family Rights Act (CFRA) – This law provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for the birth or adoption of a child, caring for a seriously ill family member, or the employee’s own serious health condition. This goes along with the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which provides additional leave in these situations.
- Wage and hour protections – California’s wage and hour protections are some of the strongest in the country. The state’s labor laws provide numerous protections for employees against unfair pay practices, such as wage theft and unpaid overtime. California also has a higher minimum wage (currently $15.50 per hour) than the federal minimum wage, which increases annually to keep pace with inflation. Additionally, California law requires employers to provide employees with meal and rest breaks and to pay them overtime for any hours worked over 8 hours in a workday or 40 hours in a workweek. Employers are also required to keep accurate records of their employees’ hours worked and wages paid. These protections help ensure that employees in California receive fair compensation for their work and are not taken advantage of by their employers.
- Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) – California law protects employees who report illegal or unethical activities by their employers from retaliation. The WPA usually goes hand-in-hand with the Labor Code’s requirements for a safe and healthy workplace. These standards are enforced by the Labor Commissioner’s Office and Cal/OSHA.
As an employee in Hanford, it’s important to be aware of these laws and how they apply to your specific situation. If you are facing an employment law issue, it’s important to seek the advice of an experienced Hanford employment lawyer to help protect your rights and ensure that you receive the treatment you’re entitled to under the law. That said, sometimes selecting the right employment lawyer for your case is easier said than done.
How To Select a Hanford Employment Lawyer
Not surprisingly, the lawyer you choose to represent you in your Hanford employment law case will have a significant impact on how your case unfolds and what the result of your claim will be. That’s why it’s so important to pick the right employment lawyer for your particular case. Thus, there are several important factors to consider when going about selecting a Hanford employment lawyer. These include:
- Research – Start by doing some research online to identify potential employment lawyers in Hanford. You’ll want to look for employment lawyers that have experience in employment law.
- Experience – Experience is a highly important aspect of legal representation. Our firm has plenty of experience in California employment law, meaning we can help you navigate the complexities that come with employment law cases.
- Expertise – Again, Hanford employment law cases can be fairly complex. As such, selecting a lawyer with expertise in this area–which our firm has–is very important to the outcome of your case.
- Track record – Our firm has a proven track record of success in handling employment law cases in Hanford. We know what to look for in terms of evidence, and more importantly, know how to negotiate with employers and their representatives to get a fair outcome.
- Fee structure – Often the most pressing issue for our clients is money. This is especially true in employment cases, as most clients have been out of work or are trying to get back on their feet. Most employment lawyers, including our firm, work on a contingency basis. This means that you pay nothing upfront, and we take our fee out of a percentage of whatever result we get for you.
- Communication – The key to effective representation is communication. Our firm takes pride in our ability to communicate with our clients. A good lawyer will be responsive and communicate clearly and regularly with clients.
Ultimately, the most important thing aspect in selecting a Hanford employment lawyer is trust. You have to place your trust in the hands of a firm that is going to work tirelessly to make sure you get the result you deserve. Our team strives to do this for every one of our clients.
Select Our Experienced Hanford Employment Lawyers
If you are facing an employment law issue in Hanford, it’s important to select an experienced employment lawyer who can protect your rights and seek the justice you deserve. At Maison Law, our experienced employment lawyers are dedicated to providing our clients with personalized attention, communication, and effective representation.
Don’t wait to get the representation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to get started.