Millions of people go to work every day across the country, and these individuals should be able to do so without the fear of discrimination or harassment in the workplace. Whether you’re facing these challenges in Southern California, consulting a Garden Grove employment attorney can help ensure your rights are protected. Your job should be a safe place where you do not have to deal with this type of unfair and illegal behavior. Unfortunately, many people deal with these situations on a daily basis.
Gutierrez Law Firm can help you get the justice you deserve when facing employment-related issues. Our employment lawyers in Garden Grove will fight tirelessly to protect your rights in the workplace. Contact us today to get started and learn how we can put our experience to work helping you.
Why Choose Our Garden Grove Employment Lawyers?
If you have experienced discrimination, harassment, or another workplace issue, you need an experienced Garden Grove employment attorney who understands the complexities of these types of cases. Gutierrez Law Firm of Garden Grove’s wrongful termination attorneys have over 16 years of experience protecting the rights of employees in the workplace. Our founding attorney has dedicated her entire career to helping these individuals get the justice they deserve.
When you come into our office, you will never be just another case number. Employment cases are extremely personal, so you will always get the personalized service and attention that you deserve. We will fight tirelessly for you and your employment rights. While we are able to resolve many of these conflicts outside of court, we are never afraid to litigate aggressively on your behalf when necessary. Give our Garden Grove employment attorneys a call today for a free consultation and let us get started helping you.
Common Types Of Employment Issues in Garden Grove
While harassment and discrimination are two of the most common types of issues that employees face in the workplace, there are several other areas where we help clients as well. There are both federal and California laws in place to protect employees from unfair behavior in the workplace. Some of the most common disputes that arise are as follows.
Harassment and discrimination occur way too often in workplaces across California and the country. In fact, the EEOC received over 81,000 discrimination charges in 2023. That number represented more than a 10% increase over 2022. This type of behavior is both unfair and illegal, but the good news is that you do not have to put up with it.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is defined by the EEOC as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.” Additionally, offensive statements about a person’s sex can also be considered harassment, even if the comments are not sexual in nature. While women are commonly the primary victims of sexual harassment, men can also harassed. Sexual harassment lawyers in Garden Grove state that some common behaviors that are classified as sexual harassment include:
- Unwanted or unsolicited touching
- Sending explicit photos or text messages
- Repeatedly asking a coworker on a date, even after they have said no
- Detailing one’s own personal sexual experiences
- Asking probing questions about the sexual exploits of a coworker
- Promising job incentives in return for sexual favors
Studies suggest that nearly 40% of women have been the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace. Some believe this number may be even higher since many instances of harassment go unreported. If you have been the victim of harassment, you may be able to hold both your harasser and your employer responsible.
Discrimination
Discrimination takes place whenever someone is treated unfairly or differently because of one or more of their personal characteristics. California law lists many protected characteristics, including:
- Race
- Religion
- Age (over 40)
- Mental or physical disability
- Marital status
- Sexual orientation
- Military or veteran status
Discrimination can take place at any time during the employment process. This includes interviewing, hiring, job assignments, salary adjustments, layoffs, and termination.
Pregnancy discrimination is something that has increased in recent years. California has enacted some new laws that provide additional protections to pregnant employees. Some of these rights include reasonable accommodations, such as break times or modified work duties.
Wrongful Termination
California is an employment “at will” state. This means that an employee or employer may generally terminate the employment relationship at any time for almost any reason. However, there are a few reasons for termination that are illegal. Terminating an employee because they are a member of a protected class or have certain protected characteristics is illegal. For instance, terminating someone because of their race or age would be considered wrongful termination.
Retaliation
Retaliation against an employee for exercising one of their rights as an employee is illegal. Retaliation can include a wide range of conduct that singles out the affected employee. For instance, demoting someone who reported sexual harassment could be considered retaliation. Likewise, terminating an employee because they were a whistleblower would be considered retaliation.
How To Report An Employment Issue in Garden Grove
Most employment-related claims start by filing a complaint with the EEOC, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), or both. Generally, you have 180 days to file a claim with the EEOC and 1 year to file a claim with the CRD. Missing these deadlines could prevent you from being successful with your claim.
Be sure to gather and retain as much evidence to support your claim as possible. Many employment-related claims rely on inference instead of direct evidence for support. Keep detailed notes and records of conversations and interactions. Save emails or text messages that may support your complaint. Lastly, consult an experienced Garden Grove employment lawyer who knows how to navigate and win these cases.
Remedies Available To Garden Grove Employees In Employment Disputes
Employees can be entitled to financial compensation for both economic and non-economic damages resulting from employment disputes. Some common types of damages awarded in these cases include lost wages, future lost earnings, job search expenses, and mental anguish. An experienced Garden Grove employment attorney can help assess your claim and develop an accurate estimate of its financial value.
Schedule A Free Consultation With Our Garden Grove Employment Attorneys Today
If you have experienced any employment-related issues, contact Gutierrez Law Firm today. We will take the time to listen to your situation and use our experience to help you get the outcome you desire. Our caring team of Garden Grove employment attorneys is ready to get started on your case today. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and get started by calling or texting (213) 460-8380 today.