California is home to several of the country’s busiest airports. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) alone processed nearly 22 million passengers in 2022, according to data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The travel industry brings in several million dollars in revenue and provides thousands of jobs to stimulate California’s economy.
Working at an airport in California can be a demanding yet rewarding experience. These workers are charged with ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel for passengers. It requires a high level of attention to detail, a strong commitment to safety, and the ability to work well under pressure. But like any job in California, there are certain situations and challenges that go along with working at an airport.
Legal Support and Understanding For California Airport Workers
At Maison Law, we are keenly aware of the benefits and challenges that California airport workers face every day. Airports are extremely busy and fast-paced, which means that you can sometimes encounter situations that violate your rights under the law. Our team of experienced California employment lawyers can help explain your rights as a worker and what you need to do if your employer is breaking the law. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more.
Working at Airports in California
California’s airports see a high volume of travelers from all over the world, making it an ideal place to work for those who enjoy a diverse and dynamic environment. In addition, airports–and the airlines they service–provide a wide range of different jobs for people in California. These include:
- Baggage handlers
- Ramp agents
- Security officers
- Customer service representatives
- Airline ticket agents
- Food and beverage workers
- Retail associates
- Mechanics
- Engineers
- Air traffic controllers
- Pilots
With such a wide range of positions, it’s understandable that most airport workers can encounter different challenges within their own specific work environment. That said, an airport is a sort of unique ecosystem for many workers. As such, there are common challenges that California airport workers face:
- Fast-paced and often stressful work environment.
- Strict security protocols and procedures that must be followed.
- Irregular schedules, including early mornings, late nights, and weekend shifts.
- Dealing with difficult or angry passengers who may be frustrated due to delays or other issues.
- Language barriers and the need to communicate effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Exposure to noise, fumes, and other hazards associated with working in or near airplanes.
- Physical demands associated with tasks such as lifting heavy luggage or standing for long periods of time.
- Constantly changing technology and procedures that require ongoing training and learning.
- Working outdoors in extreme temperatures or inclement weather conditions.
- Balancing the need to provide excellent customer service with the need to enforce rules and regulations.
While many airport workers face these challenges, it’s important for them to understand that as a worker in California, they have various protections under the state’s employment laws.
California Employment Laws and Airport Workers
One of the biggest benefits to working at an airport–or anywhere else–in California is the protection you have under the state’s employment laws. California has some of the strongest employment laws in the country and has a long history of enacting laws to protect workers and promote fair employment practices. Moreover, many of these laws go beyond what is required by federal law, and these laws provide additional protections for those that work in one of the state’s many airports:
- Minimum wage – California has a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum wage, and airport workers are entitled to receive at least the state minimum wage, currently set at $15.50 per hour.
- Overtime pay – California law also requires employers to pay overtime (time-and-a-half) to non-exempt employees who work more than eight hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. Eligible employees can also be provided with “double pay” (twice their regular rate of pay) if they work past 12 hours in a day or past eight hours on the seventh consecutive day of a workweek.
- Meal and rest breaks – Many workers at California airports work in shifts. The law requires employers to provide employees with meal and rest breaks based on the length of their shift, which is typically set at a 30-minute meal break for every 5 hours worked, and an additional 30-minute meal break if the shift goes beyond 12 hours. Additionally, the law requires a 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked.
- Anti-discrimination laws – California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of protected categories such as race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and disability. In addition, the FEHA prohibits harassment and retaliation based on these characteristics.
- Whistleblower protections – California has strong whistleblower protections for airport workers, which are designed to protect employees who report unlawful or unethical behavior by their employers or coworkers. California’s Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) is the most prominent of these and defines a whistleblower as an employee who discloses information to a government or law enforcement agency. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who make such disclosures. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, harassment, or any other adverse action that is motivated by the employee engaging in whistleblowing.
- Workers’ compensation – California law requires all employers to provide employees with workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance gives workers certain benefits when they are injured or become ill as a result of their job. Also, employers are prohibited from discriminating, harassing, or retaliating against employees that receive these benefits.
- Family and Medical Leave – California’s Family Rights Act (CFRA) provides job-protected leave for eligible employees who need time off to care for a family member or for their own serious health condition. This goes along with the federal counterpart, Family Medical and Leave Act (FMLA). Generally, eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period
It is important for airport workers in California to be aware of their rights under these employment laws, and to ensure that their employers are complying with these laws. This is sometimes easier said than done, but consulting with our team of experienced employment lawyers can give you a better idea of your options.
Legal Remedies For Workplace Rights Violations in California
Generally, there are two avenues for California airport workers when they believe their workplace rights are being violated: filing an administrative complaint or filing a lawsuit. It’s here that an important distinction exists.
Depending on the law that’s violated, you’re administrative complaint could be filed with the state agency that’s responsible for enforcing that area of the law. For example, if your employer isn’t paying you correctly or is violating other wage and hour protections, you can file a claim with the Labor Commissioner’s Office. Likewise, if your employer is unfairly discriminating against or harassing you, you would need to file a claim with the Department of Fair Labor and Housing (DFEH).Once you file a complaint with the appropriate agency, though, the process is largely the same:
- The agency will investigate your complaint, including gathering evidence and performing inspections of the workplace to determine if violations actually exist.
- If the agency finds that violations exist, they’ll issue a ruling that may include forcing the employer to pay you unpaid wages or change their policies or procedures.
The next phase after the administrative complaint is to file a lawsuit against your employer. Our team can help you navigate this process from start to finish, but it typically includes the following steps:
- File a complaint with the court – The first step is to have our lawyers draft and file a complaint with the appropriate court. The complaint outlines your legal claims against your employer.
- Serve the complaint on the employer – Once you have filed the complaint, you will need to serve a copy of the complaint on your employer. This must be done in accordance with the rules of civil procedure.
- Participate in the discovery process – Once the complaint has been served, both sides will engage in discovery, which is often the longest part of the process. It involves exchanging documents and other evidence relating to the case.
- Attend mediation or settlement conferences – Before going to trial, the parties may be required to attend mediation or settlement conferences in an attempt to resolve the dispute.
- Go to trial – If the case cannot be resolved through mediation or settlement, it will proceed to trial. At trial, both sides will present evidence and arguments, and a judge or jury will decide the outcome.
A lawsuit can be a complex and lengthy process, but it ultimately allows you to recover damages if your claim is successful. Generally speaking, these damages include:
- Lost wages
- Loss of benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Attorneys fees and costs
Overall, the legal process requires a great deal of courage and fortitude. However, working with our team can provide you with the legal and emotional support and validation you need to see your claim through.
California Airport Workers Can Count On Maison Law
If you are a California airport worker and are facing employment issues, you can count on our team of experienced California employment lawyers to help you through this challenging time. At Maison Law, we are dedicated to standing up for your rights and ensuring that you receive the treatment you’re entitled to under the law.
Don’t let your employer take advantage of you. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and learn more about your legal options.
