Modesto Labor and Employment Lawyers

As an employee, your job is not only your livelihood, it’s also an integral part of your identity. For many of these employees, Modesto is a fantastic place to live and work. Unfortunately, workplace disputes and legal issues can quickly turn a job you love into a stressful and difficult situation. Whether you are dealing with discrimination, harassment, wage and hour disputes, or any other employment-related issue, Maison Law can help. We have the knowledge and expertise to guide you through the legal process. We are passionate about advocating for the rights of employees and are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients.

Support and Guidance For Modesto Workers

Our team of experienced labor and employment lawyers is dedicated to representing workers in Modesto and the surrounding areas. We understand that navigating the complex web of laws and regulations governing the workplace can be overwhelming, which is why we are here to help. Contact us today to set up a free consultation.

What Is It Like Working in Modesto?

Located in the heart of California’s Central Valley, Modesto is one of the region’s most vibrant cities. Its location and population–approximately 218,000 people live in Modesto–offer a diverse economy with various job opportunities in a variety of industries. Modesto’s central location in California makes it a hub for transportation and distribution, while its climate and weather provide an ideal setting for the city’s agriculture industry. Elsewhere, Modesto’s workforce is scattered throughout the following industries, all of which contribute to the city’s growing economy:

• Healthcare
• Education
• Manufacturing
• Retail

Obviously, these industries have a variety of different jobs and occupations for people in Modesto. Here are some of the most common jobs throughout the city:

• Retail sales associates
• Cashiers
• Registered nurses
• Farmworkers and laborers
• Food preparation and serving workers
• Office clerks
• Customer service representatives
• Laborers and freight workers
• Material handlers
• Janitors and cleaners
• Housekeepers
• Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

Like any city, working in Modesto has its pros and cons. However, overall, it can be a good option for those looking for a more affordable place to live and work in California, with a strong sense of community and access to recreational opportunities. One of the major cons, obviously, occurs when employers violate the legal rights of their workers.

What Are My Rights as a Worker in Modesto?

As a worker, it’s important to be aware of your rights and protections under state and federal law. Working in Modesto offers several rights and protections under California law, which are some of the strongest and most comprehensive in the country. This includes everything from minimum wage and overtime requirements to discrimination and harassment laws.

Wage and hour laws

California has some of the most robust wage and hour laws in the country, including requirements for minimum wage, overtime pay, and meal and rest breaks, among other protections. These requirements apply to every employer, with limited exceptions. They include:

• Minimum Wage – California’s minimum wage is currently $15.50 per hour as of January 1, 2023. It’s important to note that California’s minimum wage law applies to all employees, regardless of their occupation or industry. This includes full-time and part-time employees, as well as temporary and seasonal workers. However, there are some exceptions to California’s minimum wage law, such as for certain disabled workers and employees who are exempt from overtime pay requirements.
• Overtime Pay – California law requires employers to pay overtime at a rate of 1.5 times the employee’s regular rate of pay for any hours worked over 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. In addition, employees who work 7 consecutive days in a workweek are entitled to overtime pay for the first 8 hours worked on the seventh day.
• Meal and Rest Breaks – California law requires employers to provide employees with meal and rest breaks. Employees are entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal break for every 5 hours worked, and a 10-minute paid rest break for every 4 hours worked. If an employer fails to provide these breaks, they may be liable for penalties.

In addition to these wages, California law requires employers to provide workers with workers’ compensation insurance in the event they’re injured at work, and also lays out the timeframe in which your employer has to pay you once you’ve been terminated. If you are a worker in California and believe that your employer has violated the state’s wage laws, you may want to speak with an employment law attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.

Discrimination and Harassment

California law, specifically the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), prohibits discrimination and harassment based on a variety of protected characteristics, including:

• 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 leave for your serious health condition
• Request for Pregnancy Disability Leave

Not only does the FEHA protect you and other workers from illegal discrimination in the workplace, it further protects you from retaliation. In the context of employment law, retaliation is known as “adverse employment actions” and can include any or all of the following:

• Termination or firing
• Demotion or reduction in job duties
• Reduction in pay or benefits
• Reassignment to less desirable tasks or shifts
• Refusal to promote or hire
• Increased scrutiny or surveillance
• Harassment, intimidation, or bullying
• Unwarranted negative performance evaluations
• Sudden changes in work schedule or job responsibilities
• Isolation from colleagues or exclusion from meetings

No matter what the circumstances are that surround your wrongful termination, it’s likely to have an extremely detrimental impact on you and your family. Thus, it’s important to understand your rights in this situation and to speak with one of our employment lawyers as soon as possible to figure out your next steps.

Whistleblower Laws

One of the most important protections for workers in Modesto is the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA). This law gives you the right to protect yourself and reach out to authorities if your employer is engaging in illegal conduct. Being a “whistleblower” refers to a wide variety of different actions, but usually include:

• Reporting violations of a state or federal law.
• Reporting violations of or noncompliance with local, state, or federal rules or regulations.
• Reporting unsafe working conditions or work practices relating to the employee’s job duties or place of employment.
• Refusing to take part in illegal activities

Unfortunately, being a whistleblower puts you in a very vulnerable position in the workplace, but California’s anti-discrimination laws also apply in this situation. This means that whistleblowers are doubly protected from their employers retaliating or discriminating against them. If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination or harassment in the workplace, we can help you understand your legal options.

Privacy Violations

Workers in Modesto, and throughout California, have rights when it comes to their privacy in the workplace. These rights and protections extend to the following types of information and items:

• Personal Belongings
• Electronic Communications
• Medical Records and Information
• Personal Information
• Criminal History or Records

It’s important to note that these rights may be subject to certain exceptions and limitations, and there may be other privacy rights that apply depending on the specific circumstances. Still, your employer is required to protect your personal information, as well as provide you with an explanation of what they’ve collected and how they intend to use it.

What Are My Legal Options In Modesto?

When your employment rights are violated in Modesto, it is obviously frustrating and totally unacceptable. But the starting point for any action is understanding that you have a viable claim. It’s here that our lawyers can assist you, helping you understand how the law applies to your situation and what you can do from there. Once it’s determined that you have a viable employment law claim, you have a few options:

• File a complaint with the relevant government agency – Depending on the nature of the violation, you may be able to file a complaint with a government agency such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), or the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE).
• File a lawsuit – If you believe that your legal rights have been violated, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the employer or other responsible party. This will allow you to recover damages for lost wages, emotional distress, or other harm caused by the violation.

The most important aspect of an employment law case is holding your employer accountable for their illegal actions. Still, standing up to your employer requires courage and fortitude. More to the point, it’s a difficult situation to be in and get through. That’s why our team takes such pride in our approach. We strive to give each client representation that is tailored to their specific case.

Work With Dedicated and Experienced Modesto Employment Lawyers

At Maison Law, our team of skilled, experienced Modesto employment lawyers knows how difficult an employment law case can be. If you’re facing issues related to labor and employment, it’s crucial to seek the help of our experienced team. We are dedicated to providing our clients with personalized, effective representation that delivers results. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take action. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you.