Desert Hot Springs Employment Lawyer For Employers
Employment law can be complicated in part because employers must comply with California laws and regulations as well as federal laws. Business owners must be able to focus on their business rather than the maze of intricate employment-related regulations. Many large companies in California will hire a full-time attorney just to handle these types of issues. Such practices are not practical for smaller and more moderately sized businesses. Still, even small businesses need legal representation when conflicts arise regarding employment relationships or to establish healthy employment-related practices for the workplace.
The Law Office of Karen J. Sloat works closely with California businesses in Riverside County and the Coachella Valley to ensure that they comply with employment regulations and are aware of potential legal issues. In the event that you are facing a complaint from an employee, our attorneys have decades of experience defending businesses against such allegations. If your business needs employment-related documents such as handbooks, personnel forms, or training manuals, call us to discuss how we can help you. Our attorneys also help businesses develop plans for operating after the COVID-19 outbreak. Call the Law Office of Karen J. Sloat today to speak to one of our Desert Hot Springs employment lawyers and learn more about how we can help you.
Defending Against Wage and Hour Disputes in Desert Hot Springs
Wage and hour disputes may arise because employees complain they are not receiving the appropriate meal or rest periods, sick leave, vacation time, tips, reimbursement of business expenses, or overtime. Of course, in California, you are also required to pay a minimum wage to your employees for all hours worked – even on-call or standby time. Any violation of wage or hour regulations can result in serious consequences, including costly litigation. Your attorney will be able to review your business practices and develop a defense against such allegations.
Defending Against Desert Hot Springs Harassment Claims
Facing claims of workplace harassment can be frustrating for an employer. Although many people think of harassment in terms of sexual harassment in the workplace, harassment claims can arise if an employee believes that the work environment is hostile based on many different factors. These claims can have serious impacts on your business. If you are facing a claim or lawsuit based on workplace harassment, contact an attorney immediately to discuss your legal options for defending those allegations.
Defending Discrimination Claims in Desert Hot Springs
Employees in California are typically hired “at will.” In essence, employers can terminate “at-will” employees at any time for basically any reason or no reason. However, California law protects people from being terminated or otherwise having their employment status negatively impacted based on their membership in one of several protected classes. Hiring, firing, or otherwise making decisions unlawfully about an employee’s work status based on any of the following categories is a violation of that employee’s rights:
- Age (40 and over)
- Ancestry, national origin (including language)
- Disability (including mental and/or physical, genetic, cancer, HIV/AIDS)
- Domestic Violence Victim Status
- Gender identity, gender expression
- Marital Status
- Medical Conditions (including genetic characteristics/information)
- Military or Veteran Status
- Political Affiliation (when a civil rights violation)
- Race, color
- Religion, creed, ethnicity
- Requests for certain leave
- Sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions)
- Sexual orientation
Sometimes employees misunderstand an employer’s reason for making employment-related decisions. Something as simple as a misinterpretation can result in serious allegations of employer misconduct. If you are facing an employee’s claim of discrimination, contact a Desert Hot Springs employment law attorney today to discuss the best way to defend that claim.
How to Resolve an Employment Dispute in Desert Hot Springs, California
Disputes between an employer and an employee sometimes end up being handled in a court of law. Most employers prefer not to take every employment law-related claim to court. After all, litigation can quickly become costly. Sometimes, however, an employer has no choice but to defend themselves through the court system. Our attorneys will help build a legal strategy to defend you if you are facing an employment law-related lawsuit.
You may have other options to resolve the dispute, including mediation or arbitration. Mediation involves hiring a mediator as a neutral party who works to help the employer and employee come to a mutual solution to their dispute. Mediators do not issue binding decisions or judgments, like a court of law. Arbitrators differ from mediators in that they hear the parties’ evidence in a more formal proceeding and can make a binding decision, an arbitration award, that courts will uphold.
To learn more about how to resolve a dispute with an employee, contact a Desert Hot Springs, California employment law attorney at the Law Office of Karen J. Sloat.
Establishing Employment Relationships and Severing Ties with Employees in Desert Hot Springs
Employers may enter into contracts with their employees for many reasons. If you are using a contract with an employee, you must ensure that the terms of that contract are clear, that you understand each term and its legal ramifications, and that the contract benefits the interests of your company. Get help from an employment attorney before creating a contract on your own.
Severance agreements are sometimes a useful way for an employer to avoid the risk of future litigation. A one-time payment to an employee who is leaving the company, in exchange for the employee’s release and waiver of claims, can work to prevent certain civil lawsuits. Your attorney can counsel you on whether an employment contract or severance agreement is needed between you and your employees.
When you are hiring workers for your business, it is also important to understand that different categories of workers are entitled to different benefits. The government has established laws to determine whether a person is an employee or an independent contractor. If you treat an independent contractor as an employee, the law may also treat that person as an employee and find that you owe them employment-related benefits.
Desert Hot Springs Employers, Contact the Law Office of Karen J. Sloat Today
The Law Office of Karen J. Sloat works closely with our clients to protect the interests of employers throughout Riverside County and the Coachella Valley. Call us today at 760-779-1313 to learn more about how we can help you.
