Your rights as a worker in Los Angeles give you freedom from discrimination and harassment, as well as the ability to take protected leave without fear of retaliation. However, these are just a few of the protections you have as a worker. Understanding what you are entitled to is the first step toward protecting yourself.
If your employer has crossed a legal line, you have options. The Los Angeles employment lawyers at Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys help workers understand their rights and take action when those rights are violated. We offer free consultations to learn more about your situation and help you get started on your case.
Let’s take a closer look at your rights as a worker in Los Angeles and how an attorney can help you.
Your Right to a Workplace Free From Discrimination
California law protects you from being treated unfairly at work because of who you are. Under the Fair Employment and Housing Act, employers cannot make decisions about hiring, pay, promotions, or termination based on protected characteristics. Protected characteristics include things like age, race, sex, gender, and pregnancy status.
These protections apply at every stage of employment, and they cover subtle bias just as much as obvious mistreatment. If you believe you have been passed over, demoted, or fired because of a protected trait, you do not have to accept it.
A Los Angeles workplace discrimination lawyer at Omega Law Group can review what happened, help you determine whether your employer broke the law, and pursue the compensation and accountability you deserve. We’ll fight to make sure your rights as a worker in Los Angeles are protected.
You can also file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, which enforces the state’s anti-discrimination laws and investigates violations by employers.
Your Right to Take Protected Leave
California and federal law give you the right to take time off for serious medical needs, a new child, or a family emergency without losing your job.
Under the FMLA and California Family Rights Act, eligible employees can take protected leave and return to their position. It is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for exercising your rights as a worker in Los Angeles.
If your employer denied your leave, punished you for taking it, or refused to let you return afterward, the attorneys at Omega Law Group can help you hold them accountable.
(310) 526-8383Your Right to a Safe and Harassment-Free Environment
No one should have to endure harassment to keep their job. As a worker in Los Angeles with rights, you are protected from sexual harassment and from a hostile work environment created by ongoing offensive conduct. Employers have a legal duty to prevent this behavior and to act when it is reported. They can also be held responsible when they fail to do so.
If harassment has made your workplace unbearable, you have the right to speak up and take action. The attorneys at Omega Law Group can help you document what happened, report it safely, and pursue justice.
You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Los Angeles District Office, which investigates workplace harassment under federal law.
Los Angeles Worker Rights FAQs
When your rights as a worker in Los Angeles are violated, it can be difficult to figure out what to do next. Below are answers to some of the most common questions Los Angeles employees ask about protecting their rights on the job:
What Do I Do if My Rights as a Worker Were Violated?
If your rights as a worker were violated, the first thing to do is document everything. You should save emails, write down dates and details, and keep any records that show how you were treated.
You should also avoid signing any severance or settlement paperwork before you understand what you may be entitled to. Speak with an attorney who can tell you whether your employer broke the law first.
The Los Angeles employment lawyers at Omega Law Group can review your situation, help you file a complaint with the appropriate agency, and pursue the compensation you deserve. We’ll explain what your rights as a worker in Los Angeles are and work hard to protect them.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workplace Claim in California?
How long you have to file a workplace claim in California depends on the type of violation, but many discrimination and harassment claims must first be filed with the California Civil Rights Department within three years of the misconduct. Wage and retaliation claims may carry shorter deadlines.
Missing a deadline can permanently bar you from recovering compensation, no matter how strong your case is. Omega Law Group can help you identify which deadlines apply and take action before your window to file closes.
Can My Employer Fire Me for Reporting a Violation?
No, your employer cannot legally fire you for reporting a violation of your rights. California law prohibits retaliation against employees who report discrimination, harassment, unsafe conditions, or other unlawful conduct, whether you complain internally or file a claim with a government agency.
If you were fired, demoted, or punished after speaking up, that retaliation may be a separate violation of the law. An attorney can explain what your Los Angeles workers’ rights are and help you take action against retaliation.
Learn More About Your Rights as a Worker in Los Angeles
Knowing your rights is one thing; enforcing them is another. If your employer has discriminated against you, denied your leave, or allowed harassment to go unchecked, you do not have to face it alone.
Contact Omega Law Group today to schedule your free consultation. We’ll meet with you to explain what your rights are as a worker in Los Angeles and determine if you have a case. There is no cost to speak with us and no fee unless we win. Let our family take care of your family.
