California Travel Industry Employment Lawyer

One of the most diverse industries in California is the state’s travel industry. It encompasses a wide variety of different businesses relating to both travel and tourism, which is especially advantageous in a state like California. With numerous tourist attractions, diverse landscapes, and beautiful weather, millions of visitors flock to the state every year. According to Visit California, 11.5 million people visited the state in 2022, bringing in a total of nearly $135 billion in revenue. As a result of these numbers, the travel industry is a significant part of California’s economy. Working in this industry is certainly rewarding, allowing you to help people make memories and experience new things while also exploring the many unique and beautiful destinations that California has to offer. Like any job, though, there are certain challenges that you can face in the industry–such as violations of your rights in the workplace.

Maison Law Stands Up For Employees in California’s Travel Industry

At Maison Law, we understand that working in California’s travel industry can be exciting, but it can also be difficult. This is especially true if your employer is violating the laws that protect you from unfair treatment at work. Our team of experienced California employment lawyers can help you stand up for your rights and provide you with the legal support you need to hold your employer accountable. We’re proud to offer free, no-obligation consultations for any California worker. Contact us to schedule yours today.

What Jobs Are Available in California’s Travel Industry?

Like California itself, the state’s travel industry is extremely diverse. It covers a variety of different types of sectors and employment opportunities for workers. Some of the more common jobs in this industry include:

• Airport workers
• Rental car employees
• Bus drivers
• Taxi drivers
• Shuttle drivers
• Tour guides
• Travel agents
• Event planners
• Park rangers
• Souvenir shop staff
• Ticket sales representatives
• Attraction admissions staff

Obviously, these jobs represent a number of opportunities for workers in the industry. The travel industry in California also has numerous benefits for workers, like:

• Opportunities for personal and professional growth – California’s travel industry is constantly evolving, and there are always new opportunities for learning and career advancement. Whether you want to move up the ladder in your current role or switch to a different area of the industry, there are opportunities to do so.
• Meeting people from diverse backgrounds – California is a melting pot of cultures, and working in the travel industry allows you to interact with people from all over the world. You can learn about different cultures and customs, and make connections with people from all walks of life.
• Access to unique destinations – California is home to a wide range of destinations, from the coast and mountains to cities and cultural landmarks. Working in the travel industry gives you the opportunity to explore these destinations and share your knowledge and enthusiasm with others.
• Developing customer service and communication skills – Many jobs in the travel industry require excellent customer service and communication skills. Working in this industry can help you develop and refine these skills, which are valuable in any career.
• Employee perks – Many travel industry employers offer employee perks, such as discounted travel, complimentary hotel stays, and free admission to attractions. These perks can make it more affordable to explore California and other destinations.

While these benefits are present throughout the industry, it’s always important to remember that every workplace has its own unique environment and circumstances. This is important because this is generally the breeding ground for unfair–and potentially illegal–treatment.

California Employment Law and the Travel Industry

Even though the travel industry is made up of many different workplaces across different businesses, ultimately these are all bound by the mandates of California’s various labor laws. What this means for you as an employee in this industry is that you enjoy certain rights and protections while you’re at work. These laws are designed to make sure you and your coworkers are treated fairly, paid properly, and ultimately kept safe in the workplace.

• Workplace safety laws – Workplace safety laws in California require employers to provide a safe working environment for their employees. Employers must comply with Cal/OSHA standards, which include regulations on workplace safety, health, and environmental standards. Employers must provide safety training, safety equipment, and report any workplace accidents or injuries. Failure to comply with these laws can result in penalties, fines, and potential legal action.
• Wage and hour laws – California wage and hour laws set minimum wage rates, overtime requirements, and regulations for employee breaks and rest periods. Employers are legally required to provide workers with a minimum wage and overtime pay for hours worked over 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. Similarly, they must also provide workers with meal and rest breaks. Failure to comply with these laws can result in wage and hour claims, penalties, and legal action.
• Discrimination and Harassment laws – California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on an employee’s race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, or other protected characteristics. Employers must provide a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and must take appropriate action if an employee reports discrimination or harassment. Failure to comply with these laws can result in lawsuits, penalties, and reputational damage.
• Whistleblower protections – California’s Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) provides protection for employees who report illegal or unethical conduct by their employers, including unsafe working conditions that are common in some jobs in the travel industry. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who report such conduct, with the law providing workers the opportunity to take legal action when they suffer retaliation on discrimination as a result of engaging in the “protected activity” of whistleblowing.
• Breach of contract laws – Many employees in this industry operate under written contracts, which opens up protection under California’s breach of contract laws. California law allows employees to pursue legal action if their employer breaches a contract, including an employment contract. Employers must comply with the terms of the contract and must provide employees with any agreed-upon compensation or benefits. Failure to comply with these laws can result in lawsuits, damages, and potential legal action.

Despite these protections being in place for you and other workers in the travel industry, employers are sometimes more concerned with turning a profit or avoiding taking steps to ensure a safe workplace. Regardless of the employer’s intent, when your workplace rights are violated in California, you have several options available to you to take action.

How To Take Action Against Your Travel Industry Employer in California

Any instance of your workplace rights being violated can be extremely frustrating. Not only does it hamper your ability to be productive at work on a day-to-day basis, but it can also get so bad that the environment becomes unbearable. California’s labor laws are designed to make sure every employee has a safe, productive environment to work in. However, when this doesn’t happen, you have options available to you to hold your employer accountable. This process requires certain steps that our team of experienced California employment lawyers can help you with, and generally include:

• Document the violations – Keep detailed records of any violations, such as unpaid wages, missed meal or rest breaks, discrimination, harassment, or unsafe working conditions. This documentation can be used as evidence in any legal action.
• Speak with your employer – It’s also a good idea to raise the issue with your employer first. They may be willing to resolve the issue informally, but one way or the other, they will be on notice that unlawful activity is taking place. From there, if they are unresponsive or retaliate against you, it may be time to pursue other options.
• File an administrative complaint – Depending on the type of violation that’s going on, you can file a complaint with one of California’s state agencies responsible for enforcing their area of the law in the workplace. This can include the California Labor Commissioner, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), or the Division of Occupational Health and Safety (Cal/OSHA). These agencies will investigate your complaint and may take legal action against your employer if they find evidence of violations.
• File a lawsuit – You may be able to file a lawsuit against your employer to seek damages and hold them accountable for any violations. Working with our team of experienced employment lawyers is a crucial part of this process. We can help you navigate your claim from start to finish, from filing the Complaint in civil court all the way to trial. A lawsuit ultimately allows you to recover damages from your employer for violating your rights, like lost wages and emotional distress.

Travel Industry Employees in California Can Trust Maison Law

Having a workplace that’s free of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other violations is a basic right for all California employees. This includes those in the travel industry, which are spread around a variety of different work environments and businesses. The travel industry is vital to California’s economy, but the backbone of the industry is the workers. At Maison Law, we know how important your job is to you and your family. When your employer violates your rights in the workplace, it’s a betrayal of the trust that is the foundation of the employee-employer relationship. You can trust our team to stand up for your rights. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more