Los Angeles Employment Lawyer

If you’re an employee in Los Angeles, you have important rights under both state and federal law, like the right to be free from harassment and discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, wrongful terminations, and other unfair treatment.

Sadly, not every employer plays by the rules, and when your rights are violated, the impact can be physical, emotional, and financial. You might know you have legal options, but figuring out what to do next can feel overwhelming.

At Litigation, P.C., we’re here to help. Our experienced team understands California employment law and knows how to stand up for workers who have been treated unfairly.

Speak with a knowledgeable employment lawyer in Los Angeles in a free consultation to learn about your options and next steps.

Representation for Employees Facing Unlawful Employment Practices

Employees in California are afforded various protections under the law, such as against discrimination and harassment. When employees complain about illegal conduct or otherwise exercise their legal rights, additional laws protect employees from wrongful termination or other forms of retaliation.

Understanding California Employment Law

The two main statutes that protect workers in Los Angeles are Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). However, there are numerous additional employment laws and regulations at both the state and federal levels. Together, this body of laws addresses a wide range of misconduct in the workplace.

What to Expect When Working With an Employment Attorney

An experienced employment law attorney can assist you in determining whether your employer has engaged in any unlawful employment practice and identify the appropriate remedies afforded by the law. For example, there are various laws in California that protect employees from retaliation, and each of those laws may provide different or additional remedies. 

Employment Litigation Cases We Handle

Harassment in the Workplace

Employees in California are protected from harassment based on the employee’s protected status or characteristics. This means the harassment was based on, for example, the employee’s sex, race, or disability, and not because the employee wore blue shoes. It also means employees have the right to a work environment that is not hostile, intimidating, offensive, oppressive, or abusive.

Discrimination in the Workplace

Although closely related to harassment, discrimination prevents disparate treatment by making illegal adverse employment actions that are substantially motivated by the employee’s protected characteristic or status. This means employees cannot be treated differently solely because of, for example, their sex, religion, or national origin.

Sexual Harassment

California recognizes two types of sexual harassment in the workplace. Quid pro quo harassment occurs when sexual or romantic favors are demanded or requested in exchange for some benefit of employment. The other type of sexual harassment occurs when a hostile work environment is created based on the employee’s sex or other protected status.

Wrongful Termination

The majority of employees in California are considered at-will employees, which means employers can fire them at any time, and for almost any reason. An employee can be discharged for no good reason, or for a good, bad, mistaken, unwise, or even unfair reason. Employers cannot, however, terminate an employee for various unlawful reasons, such as with discriminatory animus or in retaliation.

Retaliation in the Workplace

Unlawful retaliation in the employment context has a special and specific definition. The employee must have engaged in a legally protected activity, or refrained from participating in an unlawful activity, and that was a substantial motivating reason for the employer’s adverse employment action. Various laws protect a wide range of protected activities, such as whistleblowing, complaining about discrimination, or even taking time off work to participate in a child’s school activities. If you have a retaliation claim, contact an employment attorney.

Your Remedies Under California Employment Laws

Your options depend on the type of grievance and many other factors. Typical categories of damages available in employment cases include:

• Lost wages and benefits (back pay and future lost income)
• Other out-of-pocket expenses
• Emotional distress or other general, non-economic damages Punitive damages (or exemplary damages, for malicious, fraudulent, or oppressive conduct)
• Statutory damages or penalties 
• Statutory attorney’s fees and costs
• Reinstatement or other equitable relief