What Legal Protections Do Employees in Los Angeles Have?
Employment and labor laws establish the legal boundaries for employment contracts, torts, equal employment opportunities, wage and hour claims, health and safety, and employee benefits, as well as union organization and collective bargaining.
Key California Employment Laws include:
- Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)
- California Family Rights Act (CFRA)
- California Wage and Hour Laws
- California Labor Code Section 1102.5
- Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act
- Occupational Safety and Health Standards (Cal/OSHA)
If you're navigating an employment issue, understanding California-specific protections under FEHA and related laws is crucial. These state laws often provide stronger remedies and more comprehensive rights than their federal counterparts. A knowledgeable employment law attorney from Premier Lawyers can explain these laws and their implications for your situation in more detail.
Potential Compensation Available for Your Employment Law Claim
Our legal services are designed to help California employees pursue compensation in the following forms:
- Owed back or future pay
- Overdue wages or benefits
- Interest on delayed wages
- Potential reinstatement to their positions
- Possible advancement, if warranted
- Compensation for emotional distress or mental suffering
Every case is unique, presenting its own distinct set of circumstances and challenges. This uniqueness makes it challenging to provide a precise estimate of the damages you may be entitled to.
Moreover, several factors may influence your compensation. The robustness of your evidence against your employer is especially significant. The stronger your evidence, the better your chances of a favorable outcome.
The financial and emotional distress you’ve suffered due to your employer's misconduct will also be taken into account, with the severity of the hardship directly impacting the amount of compensation you stand to receive.
Just as important is your employer's track record of workplace violations. A history of repeated violations or questionable policies could potentially increase the amount of damages you’re awarded.
Filing Deadlines for Employment Law Claims in Los Angeles
In California, employment law disputes have strict timelines, similar to other legal proceedings.
Most workers opt to file complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which specifies that reports must be made within 180 days of the last alleged instance of illegal conduct in the workplace (but can be extended to 300 days). This timeline usually begins on the day of wrongful termination or the most recent incident of discrimination or harassment you’ve experienced.
Following the submission of a complaint to the EEOC, you must obtain a Notice of Right to Sue from the commission. Once you’ve received this notice, you’ll have 90 days to initiate a lawsuit in federal court.
For cases that involve unpaid wages or allegations of wage theft, the worker must typically file a claim with a civil court or the California Labor Commission within three years of the time the wages were originally due.
