Pasadena Employment Law

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YOU GO TO WORK TO SUPPORT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY, TO MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER, TO BE INSPIRED, AND TO MAKE THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND YOU BETTER.

When your employer terminates you without good reason, treats you unfairly, does not pay you properly for all hours worked, or makes your workplace environment unbearable, they may not just be mean bosses or bad companies, they could be breaking state and federal employment laws.

It is illegal under California law for an employer to refuse to hire or employ a person, to refuse to select a person for a training program, to terminate an employee, to discriminate against a person in compensation, conditions, or privileges of employment or harass someone because of a person’s race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or veteran or military status. These are known as protected categories.

As a California employee, you have numerous rights and protections under the law. An employer also has certain legal responsibilities toward its employees. The law does not protect employees from all unfair or improper conduct in the workplace. Freeburg & Granieri, APC’s skilled and knowledgeable employment attorneys are here to help you determine whether or not your rights have been violated.

Freeburg & Granieri, APC is dedicated to helping employees in the Pasadena-area and throughout California who have been unlawfully wronged by their employers. Whether you are an entry-level employee or a high-level executive, all employees deserve to be treated lawfully and receive the best legal representation when their rights have been violated.

If you would like to talk to an experienced employment law attorney about your case, please call our office today for a free consultation and case review.

Or contact us for immediate consultation.

Freeburg & Granieri, APC: Pasadena Employment Lawyer

Freeburg & Granieri, APC, is a law firm based in Pasadena, CA, offering legal representation in employment law for employers and employees alike in a variety of employment law matters and other related practice areas. Potential clients are able to speak to one of our super lawyers in free consultations, where we can discuss your employment law case. Our clients work with employment attorneys who will fight to uphold your legal rights through aggressive representation to help you recover from an employment issue in a timely manner.

Why Should I Hire Freeburg & Granieri, APC?

If you’re looking for an employment law firm that can help you stand up for your rights, it’s crucial to choose a firm that understands your perspective and has your best interests at heart. We have extensive experience in answer legal questions through research platforms such as Thomson Reuters. Our bilingual law firm staff offers services in both English and Spanish, and is available now to discuss your case during a free consultation by calling (626) 486-9082 or contacting us online. Sound too good to be true? Visit our website to read client testimonials from previous cases our super lawyers oversaw. If you are involved in an employment-related dispute, or if you need to ensure that you are in compliance with the many local, state or federal laws relating to employment, you should contact the Pasadena employment lawyers at Freeburg & Granieri, APC for a free consultation.

The Scope of Our Legal Services

Our Los Angeles County-based employment law firm covers the following legal questions and labor issues:

Employment Law- Discrimination, Employee Contracts and Severance Agreements, Employee Rights, Harassment, Retaliation, Unpaid Wages, Wrongful Termination, Labor Law,

Personal Injury- Bicycle Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Premises Liability, Products Liability, and injuries caused by others.

Common types of personal injuries include: wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine injuries, paralysis, limb loss, orthopedic injuries, orthopedic injuries, and other permanent physical or mental impairments.

If your injuries are due to the negligence of another person, you have the right to seek compensation for any physical injuries or damages that you have suffered, which could include:

  • Property damage
  • Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
  • Actual and future medical care and cost
  • Loss of earnings, if employed
  • Loss of prospective revenue if operating a business; and
  • Non-economic losses.

Business Litigation (Business Owner and Business Managers)- Business litigation often results from: breaches of contractual relations, partnership or entity formation disputes, breaches of the fiduciary duties of trust or loyalty, unfair competitive practices, trade secret theft or misuse, disputes with former employees, or insurance companies treating you or your company unfairly.

Employer Advice & Counsel- Our attorneys work with employers to have the correct policies, practices, and procedures in place. Despite the best planning and taking proactive steps to prevent litigation, should a lawsuit or claim be filed, Freeburg & Granieri, APC will represent your company’s best interest and litigate the case with zealous advocacy. Based on our years of experience representing employees, we have a unique perspective and understand both sides of employment litigation.

What are Employment Law Attorneys?

Employment law attorneys represent both employees and employers throughout the legal process involving issues in both state and federal employment law. Employment law attorneys ensure that all employees are treated in a fair and consistent manner and that employers are in compliance with all of the many local, state and federal laws that apply in the modern workplace. 

Employment law attorneys can draft and review employee handbooks, assist with wage law issues and represent employees or employers before state and federal agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), and Labor Commissioner. They also provide guidance on employees’ rights if they allege that their rights have been violated.

Employment lawyers handle employment-related legal issues, including but not limited to: wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, contract violations, and whistleblower protection. At Freeburg & Granieri, we offer employment law services that encompass each of these categories,

California Law

While federal employment laws set the standard, many states have implemented workplace laws that provide additional protection for employees. California law has the more expansive Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which prevents discrimination in the work place by placing certain groups of people in protected classes. Discrimination and employment disputes can come in several forms, from wage and hour violations to wrongful termination. California law provides broad protection for employees who are treated unfairly in the workplace due to the following protected characteristics:

  • Race
  • Religious Creed
  • Color
  • National Origin,
  • Ancestry
  • Physical Disability
  • Mental Disability
  • Medical Condition
  • Genetic Information
  • Marital Status
  • Sex
  • Gender
  • Gender Identity
  • Gender Expression
  • Age
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Military and Veteran Status

If you believe you have been made to endure policies that negatively affect you simply because you were in any of these classes, we can hold your employer responsible and help you pursue redress for the wrong you have suffered.

When Should You Hire an Employment Lawyer?

Employees have legal rights and employers are required by law to respect and abide by those rights. Even the most conscientious employer occasionally needs help from a lawyer. Although you can handle many employment matters on your own, some issues are particularly tricky and will require some legal expertise. Labor lawyers are those that can represent both an employee and the employer with different issues regarding the state and federal labor law.

For Employees: When Should I Hire an Employment Lawyer?

It is hard to run a business without having to know the ins and outs of all of California's employment laws. Supervisors, managers, business owners, bosses, etc. can commit a wide variety of unlawful actions that place employees at a disadvantage or violate their rights. A person should contact an employment attorney in any of the following situations:

  • The person has been harassed at work;
  • The person has been treated in a discriminatory manner because of a protected characteristic, e.g. pregnancy;
  • The employer has retaliated against the person because they exercised a right such as requesting overtime pay to which they are entitled by law;.
  • The person’s employment has experienced wrongful termination in violation of an employment contract, express or implied;
  • The person is being forced to sign an agreement waiving rights to which they are entitled;
  • The person’s employer has not given them the benefits to which they are entitled under their employment contract.
  • When an employee is injured or becomes sick in their workplace, they may need to file a workers’ compensation claim. A labor lawyer may help an employee to file the most effective possible claim or to appeal a denial of benefits.
  • If an employee works in a non-unionized workplace and wants to try to unionize, the employee may well want to consult an employment lawyer. An employment lawyer can help by advising employees about their right to form a union and the activities in which they can engage in connection with that effort.

A person should contact an employment attorney as soon as they become aware of an issue. If a person waits to contact an attorney, the delay could prevent them from proving the conduct committed by the employer and thus from recovering damages. Also, there are usually time limits to asserting rights and complaints under the law; any delay risks losing the right to file a claim or complaint.

For Employers: When Should I Hire an Employment Lawyer?

As a business owner, an experienced employment attorney can assist you with a wide variety of issues related to employment. Many employment attorneys can educate clients about the state and federal laws that apply in the employer’s particular workplace, and subsequently employment lawyers can help ensure that employers are in compliance with those laws and prevent future problems.

Employment lawyers may also help clients learn about their obligations in connection with the guidelines of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Additionally, employment lawyers can defend employers before a range of governmental boards and agencies in the event that they are cited for non-compliance.

An employer should contact an employment attorney if:

  • They need representation in collective bargaining negotiations with a union;
  • An employee has filed a complaint for discrimination or harassment against them;
  • When an employee has filed a lawsuit naming them as a defendant for an employment related matter; or
  • The employer plans to lay off or fire a large number of employees, terminate an employee benefit, or change the current pension plan that it offers.

An experienced employment attorney can also assist you with legal issues other than employee-employer disputes. An employment lawyer can help review or prepare contracts and agreements that you use with your employees such as employment contracts, severance contracts, or releases.

All workplaces are subject to many different types of regulation by a number of different local, state and federal agencies, and an employer would definitely want to be in regular contact with an attorney who has expertise in the domains of regulation that affect the employer’s particular workplace. It would be in an employer's best interest to have their employment attorney assess their compliance with applicable regulations on a routine basis.

California Employment Law Practice Areas

Trying to understand California labor law can be overwhelming. Fortunately, in addition to understanding employment law in California, attorneys at Freeburg & Granieri can assist human resources professionals in creating company policies, communicating those policies to employees, and dealing with hiring and termination or handling employee benefits.

Top California Labor Law Issues

The topics below cover some of the most common areas of labor law we work with our clients:

Overtime Pay- How to ensure that your nonexempt employees are receiving proper California overtime pay.

Personal Injury- How to help workers with job injuries understand their basic rights, the steps to take to request workers’ compensation benefits, and how to avoid lawsuits regarding personal injury.

Independent Contractors- How to determine whether an individual is an independent contractor and if you are in compliance with laws governing independent contractors.

Exempt and Nonexempt Employees- We can determine which of your California employees are considered exempt or nonexempt under California law.

Meal and Rest Breaks- Meal and rest break compliance continues to be the source of a great deal of litigation for California employers. Understanding California's meal and rest breaks requirements is extremely important for all California employers and employees.

Calculating Work Hours/Travel Time- Calculating travel time can be challenging. Learn more about this important element of paying and scheduling your California employees by speaking.

Leaves of Absence: Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL)- Ensure that your business is in compliance with both federal and California law regarding medical or family leave.

Sexual Harassment- It is essential that you understand what constitutes sexual harassment and take steps to prevent and stop harassment in the workplace.

Employee Handbooks- Our firm can compose or edit comprehensive employee handbooks to inform your employees of their rights and responsibilities using required HR policies that will prevent significant lawsuits.

Drug and Alcohol Testing- Although employers have rights regarding drug testing, tests must be properly performed. Learn more about California employee drug testing under California labor law with a a free consultation at Freeburg & Granieri today.

Employee Termination Checklist - To avoid lawsuits, employees must be properly terminated. Learn more about proper employee termination in California and your responsibilities toward a terminated employee here.

Helping Employers and Employees Understand California Law

As a California employer, you play many roles in your company. One of them is to ensure all your employees understand California employment laws as well as your company HR policies. We have the tools you need to communicate the necessary information to your employees.

Employers are exposed to lawsuits every time they take action related to employees, or when they fail to take necessary action. Knowing California employment law is an important part of your job. Educate yourself on all of the California laws, communicate with your employees, and common terminology to avoid violating employment law.

Employer Terms to Know

At-Will Employment: A type of employment relationship in which there is no contractual agreement and either party may end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason (unless it violates labor laws) or for no reason at all, without incurring a penalty.

Minimum Wage: A minimum wage is the lowest remuneration that employers can legally pay their employees—the price floor below which employees may not sell their labor. California minimum wage and hour violations can occur at local and state levels, see our recent post on the differences between minimum wage rates in California here.

Back Pay: A type of damages award in an employment lawsuit that represents the amount of money the employee would have earned if the employee was not fired or denied a promotion illegally.

Hostile Working Environment: A work environment that is so charged with harassment or similar unwanted behavior that it interferes with the ability to do one's job. The conduct has to be based on a FEHA protected category and not just a person being mean to you.

If you recently have experienced a difficult situation at work involving these essential employment law practice areas, you can speak to one of the Pasadena employment lawyers at Freeburg & Granieri in Pasadena today.

DISCRIMINATION

While employers can make business decisions and unfair decisions, they cannot treat you differently from the time of hire through termination because you fall within a protected category. By speaking to an experienced employment law attorney, we can help to determine if you have been subjected to illegal discrimination.

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WRONGFUL TERMINATION

California is an at-will employment state, but this does not mean that an employer can terminate an employee for an unlawful reason. It is also unlawful for an employer to terminate an employee because an employee falls within a protected category or complained about or protested against unlawful activity by the employer.

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HARASSMENT

Harassment is not just inappropriate comments or unwanted sexual advances in the office. It can also include offensive images, physical touching, blocking where you can walk, inappropriate emails, and off color jokes. It can also be illegal harassment if you are subject to a work environment that is hostile, intimidating, offensive, oppressive, or abusive because you belong to a protected category.

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UNPAID WAGE CLAIMS

You deserve to be paid fairly, fully, and promptly for all the hours you work. If you believe that you are not being paid for all your work hours, not properly being paid overtime, not receiving meal periods or rest breaks, are not being paid minimum wage, or not being paid on time, call us today.

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RETALIATION & WHISTLEBLOWER

Employers are not allowed to retaliate against employees who complain about unfair wages, unlawful harassment or discrimination, violations of state or federal law, or other legal violations. If you have been demoted, fired, or mistreated at work after reporting a workplace issue, you may be a victim of workplace retaliation.

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EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS & SEVERANCE AGREEMENT REVIEWS

Your employer has attorneys working to protect the company. You should have an attorney to protect your rights when negotiating with your employer or to review agreements and contracts before you sign them. An experienced employment attorney can help you to make sure any employment agreement you sign is to your benefit.

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I was referred to Greg by a family friend which was the best thing to ever happen. From time I met Greg he was very thorough with his work and his lines of communication were excellent. I was never left in the dark with the entire process of my case.

Christy came on board with my case later on, but knew exactly what was going on. She was also was very involved and would pick up her phone whenever I had a question no matter how big or small.

This is a great team that will treat you as if you were family. I would recommend their services to anyone that needs help.

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Christy was very caring and professional. She provided me with all my options and very thorough when explaining the process. She gave me confidence in my decisions.

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