Lemoore Labor and Employment Lawyers

Any job requires a level of commitment to perform and continue showing up every day. But this commitment isn’t exclusive only to you and other employees. Your employer should, ideally, have just as strong a commitment to making sure that every one of their employees is treated fairly and justly. Unfortunately for some workers in Lemoore and throughout California, their employers decide to focus on making the workplace unsafe and hostile. As a worker in Lemoore, California law gives you certain protections from such work environments or treatment by your employer. While employment law can be complex and somewhat confusing, just being a part of the workforce in Lemoore means that you’re entitled to these protections. So, when your employer decides to violate your rights in the workplace, you can take steps to hold them accountable.

Contact Maison Law For a Free Consultation

No matter what workplace issues you’re facing in Lemoore, our team of experienced California employment lawyers can help you. We can help you understand your rights and options, as well as provide you with experience and support as you work through what is often a difficult situation. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.

Being Employed in Lemoore

Like many other cities in California’s Central Valley, Lemoore has a strong local economy with a variety of different industries and job sectors available for its population. Lemoore itself, situated in northern Kings County, has a population of around 24,000 people. As a growing city with a diverse range of industries and employment opportunities, Lemoore also has a growing number of job seekers and workers. Here are some of the key industries and jobs that make up the workforce in Lemoore:

• Agriculture – Lemoore is located in the heart of California’s Central Valley, which is known for its rich farmland and agricultural production. The agriculture industry is a significant source of employment in Lemoore and the surrounding areas, with crops such as almonds, grapes, and cotton being major contributors to the local economy.
• Healthcare – Lemoore has a growing healthcare industry, with multiple medical facilities and clinics serving the community. Healthcare providers, nurses, and other medical professionals are in demand in Lemoore and the surrounding areas.

 

• Education – Lemoore is home to several schools, including Lemoore High School and West Hills College Lemoore. The education industry is a significant source of employment in Lemoore, with job opportunities ranging from teachers and administrators to support staff.

As with any city, there are positives and negatives to working in Lemoore. Moreover, every workplace, no matter how big or small, is unique and offers its own set of challenges. Thus, it’s important for you to understand what California’s employment laws are and how they apply to your specific situation, should you feel that your rights are being violated.

Understanding California Employment Law

As a worker in Lemoore, California, it is important to understand California employment law to ensure that your employer is treating you fairly and that you are aware of your rights. California has some of the most employee-friendly laws in the country, including laws that cover several workplace-related issues and violations, such as:

• Wage and Hour Violations
• Discrimination and Harassment
• Wrongful termination
• Retaliation
• Breach of Contract
• Violations of Privacy

Wage and Hour Violations

California’s wage and hour laws are some of the strongest in the country and provide significant protections for workers, including:

• Providing you and other employees with a minimum wage and overtime pay
• Being paid your final wages after termination on time
• Providing meal and rest breaks
• Providing Workers’ Compensation Insurance
• Protecting you from your employer misclassifying your status to avoid paying you overtime or other pay

These protections are enforced by the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, which can investigate complaints and impose penalties on employers who violate the law.

Discrimination and Harassment

California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) protects certain employees from unlawful harassment and discrimination based on “protected characteristics”. These characteristics include:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Age
• Gender identity, gender expression
• Sexual orientation
• Pregnancy
• Marital status
• Medical Condition
• Military or veteran status
• National origin
• Ancestry
• Disability
• Genetic information
• Victims of domestic violence
• Request for Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave
• Request for California Family Rights Act (CRFA) leave
• Request for Pregnancy Disability Leave

Wrongful Termination

When your employer discriminates against you or other employees based on characteristics or when you engage in a “protected activity” like reporting illegal conduct, it constitutes a “wrongful termination” claim. Additionally, California law provides protections for employees who are terminated in violation of their employment contract or collective bargaining agreement. However, it is important to note that California is an at-will employment state, which means that employers generally have the right to terminate employees for any reason or no reason at all, as long as it does not violate public policy or an employment contract.

Retaliation

Not only does the FEHA protect employees from unlawful discrimination in the workplace, it further protects them from retaliation. Retaliation is legally known as “adverse employment actions” and can include your employer subjecting you to the following:

• Termination or demotion
• Pay cuts or reductions in hours
• Negative performance reviews or denial of promotion
• Harassment or hostile work environment
• Refusal to hire or rehire
• Negative references or blacklisting
• Change in job duties or job location
• Reassignment to less desirable tasks or work conditions
• Increased scrutiny or surveillance
• Denial of benefits or training opportunities

Breach of Contract

Every worker in Lemoore operates under a contract, whether explicitly written or simply implied. These agreements are legally binding and outline the terms and conditions of your employment, including:  

• Your job duties and expectations
• How you will be disciplined
• How and when you’ll be paid
• The conditions you will be working in
• How and under what conditions you may be terminated, including severance.

  If an employer breaches your employment contract in California, you may be able to take legal action to recover damages. You could then be able to sue for breach of contract and seek compensation for any financial losses resulting from the breach, such as lost wages or benefits. Additionally, you may also be able to seek “specific performance” damages, which require the employer to fulfill their obligations under the employment contract.

Violations of Privacy

Working in California means that your employer has access to your personal information. Because this information is extremely sensitive, California has laws in place that protect your privacy in the workplace. These laws govern the following:

• Being recorded in the workplace.
• Having your computer usage monitored and tracked.
• Being asked about or having decisions made based on your criminal record.
• Having your medical records and history gathered and used.
• Being tested for drugs or alcohol.
• Having your credit history checked or used
• Having your Social Security Number used and protected.

  These laws aim to protect employees’ privacy rights while balancing the legitimate interests of employers. When you feel your privacy rights have been violated, you can consult with our team of experienced employment lawyers to determine your legal options.

Legal Options For Workplace Violations in Lemoore

No worker in Lemoore–or anywhere else–wants to be in a situation where their workplace is subjecting them to unlawful treatment. But the unfortunate reality is that this does happen. When it does, California law also provides victims with several options for seeking remedies to the situation:

• File a complaint with your employer – In many cases, you or other employees may be able to resolve workplace violations by bringing them to the attention of their employer. Employers are required by law to investigate and take appropriate action to address complaints of workplace violations.
• File a complaint with the relevant agency – Employees may also file a complaint with a government agency, such as the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). These agencies investigate complaints of workplace discrimination, harassment, and other violations of employment laws.
• File a lawsuit – After administrative remedies have been taken, you also have the ability to file a lawsuit against your employer for workplace violations. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to seek damages for lost wages, emotional distress, and other harm caused by the workplace violation.

It’s important to note that the specific legal options available to you will depend on the specific circumstances of the workplace violation. Facing violations of your workplace rights is extremely stressful and uncomfortable. That’s why it’s important to work with our team of experienced lawyers who can provide you with support as you navigate the claims process.

Lemoore Employment and Labor Lawyers You Can Depend On

At Maison Law, you can depend on our team of experienced California employment lawyers. We take a client-specific approach to each case and can help make sure that your rights are protected and fought for. Holding your employer accountable takes courage, but with Maison Law on your side, we can provide you with the support you need. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, contact us today for a free consultation.