Merced County Employment Attorneys

If you’re facing legal challenges at work—whether it’s unpaid wages for your efforts, ongoing harassment or discrimination, or even wrongful termination—it can be overwhelming and all-consuming. Your job is crucial to your financial stability, and any threat to it demands serious attention. Both state and federal laws offer critical protections, and there’s a chance your employer may have infringed upon those rights.

At The Nourmand Law Firm, APC, our skilled Merced County employment attorneys bring decades of experience to the table, helping employees hold their employers accountable for all types of wrongful employment actions, such as overtime violations, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation. Contact The Nourmand Law Firm, APC, today to schedule a free consultation with a Merced employment lawyer today.

State and federal law provide a range of protections for California workers. Some of the most common employment violations in Merced County include the following:

Wage and hour lawsuits are among the most common types of employment litigation. These cases often involve claims of unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, or failure to provide legally mandated breaks. Employees may be forced to work off the clock, or their job classification might be misrepresented to avoid paying overtime. Wage theft can significantly impact workers, especially those already earning lower wages, making it crucial to hold employers accountable for ensuring fair compensation.

Discrimination lawsuits arise when an employee is treated unfairly based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, disability, or religion. These cases can include wrongful termination, failure to promote, or creating a hostile work environment. Discrimination not only harms the individual but also undermines workplace morale and equality. Legal representation can help employees fight against discriminatory practices and seek justice for the harm they've suffered.

Sexual harassment claims involve unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. These cases are particularly damaging as they create toxic work environments and can have long-lasting effects on victims' mental and emotional well-being. An employment lawyer can help victims of sexual harassment hold their harassers and employers accountable, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve.

Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired for illegal reasons, such as retaliation for reporting workplace violations, discrimination, or exercising their legal rights. These cases can be challenging, as employers often attempt to justify their actions under the guise of performance issues. Skilled legal representation is essential to navigate the complexities of wrongful termination cases and to protect employees' rights.

Retaliation lawsuits are brought when an employer takes adverse action against an employee for engaging in legally protected activities, such as filing a complaint about workplace discrimination, harassment, or wage violations. Retaliation can take many forms, including demotion, reduction in hours, or termination. These actions discourage employees from asserting their rights, which makes these claims a major way to deter unlawful employer behavior.

The employment market in Merced County, California, has faced challenges with higher-than-average unemployment rates, which is reflective of broader economic trends in the region. Turnover rates in key industries, such as agriculture and retail, are also significant, driven by seasonal employment and the transient nature of some jobs.

High workplace turnover can significantly impact worker satisfaction, often leading to a decline in overall morale and productivity. When turnover rates are high, remaining employees may experience increased workloads as they pick up the slack left by departing colleagues. This can lead to burnout, stress, and frustration, diminishing job satisfaction.

High turnover rates and high unemployment rates can also create an environment that more often leads to employment violations because employers know that there are many other workers willing to fill any vacancies.

Some of the largest employers in Merced County include the following:

University of California, Merced – This is one of the biggest employers in the county, with over 4,000 employees. The university is a significant driver of local employment, contributing to educational services and research.

Foster Farms – Located in Livingston, Foster Farms is a major poultry processing plant, employing around 3,000 people, making it a significant part of the county's agricultural sector.

Merced County Government – The county government itself is a major employer, with approximately 3,828 employees working in various capacities across different departments.

Dignity Health - Mercy Medical Center – This hospital in Merced is another large employer, with about 1,500 employees providing healthcare services to the surrounding community.

Hilmar Cheese Company – Located in Hilmar, Hilmar Cheese Company is a leading employer in the food processing industry, with about 1,200 employees.

Workplace violations aren’t always obvious; sometimes, an employee’s actions just don’t feel right – probably because it isn’t. If you suspect your employer is involved in illegal employment practices—whether it’s discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, or misclassifying workers as independent contractors—The Nourmand Law Firm, APC is here to assist. With decades of experience in advocating for employees, Attorney Michael Nourmand and his dedicated legal team are equipped to hold employers accountable. Reach out to us today at 800-700-WAGE or fill out our online contact form, and let’s begin addressing your concerns together.