Indio Employment Lawyer For Employees
In California, employees enjoy some of the best employment protections in the country. However, workers often do not even know their rights or are afraid to challenge their employers. If your employer violates any of California’s employment-related laws, you might have the ability to file a claim against that employer. The first step to learning more about your rights and whether you have a claim is to contact an Indio, California employment law attorney. At the Law Office of Karen J. Sloat, our experienced Indio employment lawyers have been representing workers in Riverside County and the Coachella Valley for decades. We understand the concerns employees have when they are challenging unfair practices carried out by their employers. Call 760-779-1313 for a consultation with one of our Indio employment law attorneys.
Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace in Indio
Certain protections exist in California law, as well as federal law, that make it illegal for an employer to either discriminate or harass an employee based on the employee’s membership in a protected group. In California, discrimination refers to unlawful decisions related to an employee’s status with the company based on any of the following:
- 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
If your employer terminated your employment or otherwise made important decisions related to your employment status based on any of the above factors, that employer may have violated California employment law.
Sometimes, an employee will find the workplace to be a hostile environment because their employer or coworkers harass that employee based on membership in one of the above categories. These forms of harassment are also against the law. An employee who suffers harassment based on any of the above may have a claim against their employer and others. Harassment is different from discrimination because it does not require the employer to make any important employment status-related decisions based on the employee’s gender, sex, age, or the other above factors. Although people frequently think of harassment only in the context of sexual harassment, harassment based on any of the above factors is also prohibited by law. If you are subjected to such harassment at your place of work, contact an Indio employment law attorney at the Law Office of Karen J. Sloat.
Wage and Hour Disputes in Indio, California
California law sets a minimum wage, rules for overtime pay, and required meal and break times for employees, among other protections. An employer who violates California’s wage and hour laws can be reprimanded and forced to pay that which is owed to the employees, as well as potential penalties and fines. If your employer is not paying you correctly under California law, contact one of our Indio, California, employment law attorneys. Never allow an employer to violate your legal rights in the workplace. It is important for you to understand that the law protects you from retaliation at the hands of your employer. To learn more about your rights as an employee in California, contact an attorney.
Misclassification of Employees in Indio
Employers owe certain benefits to employees in California. For instance, if you work full-time for a company, you are likely entitled to some level of health benefits, paid leave, and workers’ compensation protections. Employers generally cannot refuse to provide these protections to individuals designated as employees. However, employers who hire independent contractors do not owe the same employment benefits to those workers. Independent contractors work as their own businesses and have a level of freedom which is not typically available to employees. Sometimes, unfortunately, employers will misclassify an employee as an independent contractor. When this happens, the employee is robbed of certain employment-related benefits to which they are entitled. If you believe that you have been incorrectly categorized as an independent contractor at your Indio workplace, contact an Indio employment law attorney at the Law Office of Karen J. Sloat.
Resolving Employment Disputes in Indio, California
Dispute resolution goes beyond litigation. Alternative dispute resolution may be an option for resolving your claim against your employer. Employers often prefer arbitration, rather than litigation of claims. Litigation can be costly for employers, and many businesses wish to avoid this method of handling employment complaints. Arbitrators can make binding decisions which both parties must then accept. Another form of alternative dispute resolution is mediation. A mediator cannot make a binding decision but can help the parties come to an agreement that both are willing to accept. Sometimes, the only option is to file a lawsuit. To learn more about how you can resolve your dispute or claim with your employer, contact our Indio, California employment law attorneys today.
Indio Employees, Call the Law Office of Karen J. Sloat Today
The Law Office of Karen J. Sloat understands the importance of being treated fairly in your place of work. If you believe your employer has violated your employment-related rights, call us today at 760-779-1313 to speak to an experienced Indio, California employment law attorney.
