Employment Legal Issues in California

employment legal issues

Employment attorneys in California are in high demand. The laws are layered and create ambiguity, leading to disputes and wrongdoing. Common employment legal issues that lead employers and employees to retain legal counsel include but are not limited to:

  1. Claims of wrongful termination, where an employee alleges they were terminated from their job for discriminatory reasons or in retaliation for whistleblowing.
  2. Claims of harassment or discrimination, where an employee alleges they experienced harassment or discrimination in the workplace based on factors such as race, gender, age, religion, or disability.
  3. Disputes regarding wages, where an employee alleges they were not paid properly for their work, including overtime pay or minimum wage violations.
  4. Disputes regarding contracts, where, for example, an employee or employer disputes the terms of an employment contract, including issues such as non-compete agreements or severance packages.
  5. Whistleblowing, where an employee has reported illegal or unethical activity in the workplace and alleges they faced retaliation or other negative consequences as a result.

At The Green Firm, we can provide valuable guidance and representation to employers and employees in a wide range of legal issues related to the workplace. We help our clients, whether an employer or employee, seek an appropriate and favorable outcome.

Remedies Available in California Employment Cases

Remedies are available to employees whose rights have been violated. When an employee wins their case, part of the remedy may include any of the following. 

Back pay 

Back pay refers to the wages and benefits that an employee should have received but did not due to a violation of employment laws. A court or administrative agency may order an employer to pay back pay to the affected employee.

Front pay 

Front pay refers to the wages and benefits that an employee would have received if they had not been wrongfully terminated or subjected to another unlawful employment action. Front pay can be awarded as an alternative to reinstatement.

Compensatory damages 

Compensatory damages are monetary awards intended to compensate an employee for any harm suffered due to an employment law violation, such as emotional distress or damage to reputation.

Punitive damages 

Punitive damages are monetary awards intended to punish an employer for particularly egregious behavior, such as willful violations of employment laws or discriminatory practices.

Reinstatement 

Reinstatement refers to the process of restoring an employee to their former position following a wrongful termination or other unlawful employment action.

Injunctive relief 

Injunctive relief refers to court orders that require an employer to stop engaging in a particular behavior, such as discriminatory hiring practices or retaliation against whistleblowers. If an employer filed a lawsuit, injunctive relief could be awarded where the employee or former employee is ordered to stop a particular behavior.