Employment Law Counsel For Employers And Employees
Last updated on February 13, 2024
As advisers to hundreds of businesses and employees, our attorneys at Coast Law Group LLP understand how to effectively strengthen businesses as well as protect workers’ rights through fine-tuned legal strategies.
From writing custom employee manuals and executive agreements to investigating claims of harassment and defending employers against claims before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), our employment law team can help employers navigate difficult workplace situations. With our lawyers’ assistance, our clients develop strategies to create effective defenses to litigation and fortify their businesses.
Because we know that every business is different, we help employers assess risks and make wise workplace decisions that fit the values and mission of their organization with employment contracts, custom manuals and strategic counsel.
We strategically craft and customize employee manuals, harassment protection manuals and social media manuals to fit with the company’s objectives. We also draft strategic contracts of all types, including executive compensation, commission, trade secret protection and performance management. We are lawyers with vast experience dealing with arbitration, mediation and litigation of harassment and termination as well as employers’ rights in all matters.
Employment Law Areas Of Focus
In addition to advising business owners and managers, we also represent employees in all aspects of employment law, including:
- Protecting workers’ rights
- Assisting with contract negotiations and arbitrations
- Counseling employees who are signing executive employment agreements.
Our team provides advice and advocacy for both employers and employees regarding a full array of topics, including the following:
- Discrimination
- Benefits and disability
- Administrative hearings
- Management training
- Labor practice reviews
- Equal pay and wrongful termination
- Executive employment agreements
- Employee manuals; human resources (HR) consulting
- Wage and hour disputes
- Sexual harassment
For in-depth discussions of some of the most common areas of conflict, read on.
Have You Experienced Unlawful Treatment By An Employer?
Employees in San Diego County and throughout California are entitled to a safe workplace free of harassment, hostility, discrimination and retaliation. Unfortunately, some employers take advantage of their employees by breaking federal and/or state laws.
Our highly experienced employment law team at Coast Law Group LLP seeks to ensure that our clients are treated appropriately in the workplace and that they are fairly compensated when laws are violated.
Workplace Discrimination In San Diego
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) provides remedies and protects the rights of individuals subject to discrimination by employers or potential employers. We regularly represent employees in asserting violations of the FEHA and other state and federal laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Employees are protected from discriminatory practices in the workplace, including when such practices affect hiring or promotion. Illegal discrimination may occur if an employee is treated differently than others based on their:
- Race
- Gender
- Age (over 40)
- Religion
- Ethnicity or national origin
- Disability
- Pregnancy
- Sexual orientation
There are many facts and laws to be considered in a case of suspected workplace discrimination. Call Coast Law Group LLP to have an experienced employment attorney evaluate your case.
Workplace Wage And Hour Violations
Employees in California are protected by both state and federal laws, including the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employees subject to such protection may be entitled to significant compensation when an employer engages in any of the following practices:
- Misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor
- Failing to pay minimum wage
- Failing to correctly calculate and divide tips
- Failing to provide paid break periods
- Making improper salary deductions
- Failing to pay for job-related travel time
- Failing to pay overtime to nonexempt employees
- Improperly calculating overtime pay
- Requiring that employees work during break periods
If your employer has engaged in unlawful employment practices, such as those listed above, or if you believe you have experienced other wage and hour violations, then call Coast Law Group LLP to speak with a San Diego employment lawyer.
What Constitutes Sexual Harassment In The Workplace
As with discrimination, both federal and California laws prohibit job-related sexual harassment. The law recognizes that sexual harassment comes in a variety of forms, all of which are illegal in the work environment.
While unwanted physical contact is an obvious example of sexual harassment in the workplace, harassment often occurs without any touching at all. Sexual harassment can include both physical and verbal harassment, such as:
- Sexual assault or groping
- Unwelcome touching, hugging or kissing
- Unwanted advances or efforts to date
- Stalking behavior (through gifts, texts, phone calls or following)
- Pornography or offensive images
- Sexually explicit jokes, pranks or language
- Catcalls or comments about one’s body
Unwanted sexual behavior in the workplace often makes it difficult, if not impossible, for a victim to effectively perform their job duties. It can also have long-lasting detrimental effects on a victim’s mental, emotional and physical health. Hostile work environments are illegal, and a California employment attorney should be contacted immediately when harassment occurs.
When experiencing workplace harassment at a place of employment, it’s critical for you to have experienced attorneys on your side. Get hold of us today at 760-670-4554 to get the process started.
Retaliation
Employees who report suspected violations of law to management are legally protected from retaliation. This means that if you express concerns about your legal rights – such as seeking overtime pay, objecting to working during rest breaks, or reporting discrimination or harassment, then your employer may not demote, fire or otherwise punish you.
If you believe that you have been subjected to retaliation, contact a San Diego employment lawyer immediately.
Wrongful Termination
Most workers in California are considered at-will employees. This means that employers typically have wide latitude in the hiring and firing process. But, sometimes employees are terminated for illegal reasons, such as when an employer engages in discrimination or retaliation.
Both California and federal laws make it illegal to terminate an employee on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or pregnancy. It is also considered wrongful termination when an employee is fired for reporting suspected illegal activity, reporting sexual harassment, claiming discrimination or filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Despite these legal protections, sometimes, employers fabricate a pretext for firing a worker. For example, the employee may suddenly receive a poor performance review or be written up for violating company policies. As experienced employment lawyers, at Coast Law Group LLP, we know how to expose these practices and help wrongfully terminated clients pursue justice and fair compensation.
Our Team Is Here To Help
Follow this link for statistics on complaints filed and cases that were settled in California as justice for victims of discrimination and retaliation. Knowledgeable legal representation can point you in the right direction if you have experienced wrongs of these types. Our skilled San Diego employment lawyers have extensive experience handling all types of employment law cases.
Our compassionate and knowledgeable team will take the time to explain your rights and help you decide how best to proceed. Get in touch with our office at 760-670-4554 or send an email inquiry to begin the process.