Employee Rights
Contra Costa Employment Attorney
Respected Lawyers Dedicated to Protecting and Enforcing Workers’ Rights Following Employment Violations
If you are dealing with an issue at work—whether it’s your employer’s failure to pay you for the work you’ve performed, ongoing harassment or discrimination, or a wrongful termination—it can be hard to focus on anything else. Your job is your livelihood, and a threat to your continued employment must be taken seriously. State and federal law provide you with important rights, and it’s possible that your employer has violated those rights. At The Nourmand Law Firm, APC, our dedicated team of Contra Costa employment lawyers have decades of experience helping aggrieved employees hold their employers accountable for all types of unlawful employment actions, including overtime violations, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation. Give The Nourmand Law Firm, APC, a call to schedule a free consultation with a Contra Costa employment lawyer today.
Contra Costa Employment Data
With a healthy economy and access to much of what Central California has to offer, Contra Costa County is a great place to live and work. For example, Contra Costa County saw a 1.5% increase in employment between December 2022 and December 2023, which is a continuation of what has historically been a robust economy. Moreover, the average weekly wage in Contra Costa County increased by 3.0% between 2022 and 2023, while the unemployment rate decreased slightly over that same period to 4.6%. According to the most recent data, the largest industries in Contra Costa County include healthcare, retail, sciences, and technology.
While Contra Costa County has favorable employment conditions for workers, these statistics say nothing about the quality of the workplaces. In fact, many workers in Contra Costa County report experiencing discrimination or retaliation. There are also reports of wage and hour violations among hourly workers and individuals who were wrongly classified as independent contractors.
California’s Employment Protections
Both state and federal law contain important protections for workers. However, California law provides significant employment protections above and beyond those provided by federal law. These laws are designed to ensure a safe and fair workplace. If you’re experiencing issues such as discrimination, retaliation, or wage violations at work, it’s important to understand your rights and the legal remedies available to you.
Discrimination
Under California law, it’s illegal for employers to discriminate against employees or job applicants based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, marital status, or military status. The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) protects you from unfair treatment in hiring, promotions, job assignments, and other employment practices.
Retaliation
California also protects employees from retaliation. If you’ve reported workplace violations, participated in an investigation, or opposed illegal practices, your employer cannot retaliate against you. This includes actions such as demotion, termination, or harassment. The Labor Code Section 1102.5 safeguards whistleblowers and ensures they can report issues without fear of retribution.
Wage and Hour Violations
Employers must adhere to state regulations regarding minimum wage, overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, and other wage and hour laws. For example, non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay for hours worked beyond eight in a day or 40 in a week.
Speak With an Experienced Contra Costa County Employment Attorney About Your Situation Today
Some workplace violations are clear, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes, an employer’s actions just “feel” wrong in your gut. If you believe that your employer is engaging in unlawful employment practices—whether it be discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, or improperly classifying employees as independent contractors—The Nourmand Law Firm, APC can help. With decades of experience helping employees right the wrongs of their employers, Attorney Michael Nourmand and his team of knowledgeable lawyers have what it takes to hold employers accountable. Call us today at 800-700-WAGE or fill out our online contact form, and let’s start working on your case together.