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Posted on January 19, 2025 | By Omid Nosrati | Employment Law
Have you ever wondered, “What are my rights as an employee in Pasadena?” You are entitled to several rights and protections under both federal and state laws as an employee in Pasadena, California. These rights cover various aspects of employment, including work conditions, wages, safety, and protection against discrimination. There are key legal protections afforded to workers by state and federal laws.
Employees in Pasadena are entitled to fair compensation for their work under both state and federal laws. California’s minimum wage is $15.50 per hour for all employers, regardless of size, as of January 2025. The City of Pasadena has a local minimum wage ordinance that sets it a bit higher than the state requirement. As of July 1, 2024, the minimum wage for this area is $17.50 per hour.
Most non-exempt employees are also entitled to overtime pay. If you work over 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in one week, your employer must pay your overtime 1.5 times your regular hourly pay. Double-time pay is required for hours worked beyond 12 hours in a day or for hours worked on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek.
California law mandates that all employees working in Pasadena for 30 days or more in a year are entitled to paid sick leave. Employees earn at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. The law allows employees to use sick leave for their own illness, to care for a family member, or for other specific purposes. Employers can limit the amount of sick leave used in a year to 24 hours or 3 days.
Under California law, employees who work more than 5 hours a day are entitled to an unpaid meal break that lasts 30 minutes. If you work more than 10 hours a day, you are entitled to a second meal break. You are also entitled to a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked.
Safe and healthy work environments are ensured for workers in Pasadena and throughout the state by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health. Employers are required to provide a workplace free from hazards that could cause serious injury or illness.
Under Cal/OSHA, employees have the right to report unsafe or unhealthy working conditions without fear of retaliation. If you file a complaint, the agency will investigate. Employers are also required to provide training on workplace safety, maintain safety standards, provide necessary personal protective equipment, and conduct regular safety audits.
Employers in Pasadena are prohibited from discriminating against employees on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, and other protected categories. Several laws have been put into place to protect employees from any sort of discrimination. The two main ones are:
In Pasadena, employees have the right to take time off for certain medical or family reasons under state and federal laws. This is enforced by:
Employees have certain privacy rights in the workplace in Pasadena. These rights protect you from your employer and ensure that your personal information and communications remain private.
Employers are unable to search personal belongings or monitor private activities without legitimate business reasons. On the other hand, employers do have the right to monitor communications that are made on company equipment or during work hours, especially if the company’s business interests are involved.
California law also protects employees from retaliation if they use their rights under labor and employment laws. For example, if you file a complaint against your employer, you are protected from adverse actions such as termination, demotion, or other forms of retaliation.
Employees are generally able to be terminated for any reason in California as long as it is not discriminatory or illegal. There are several exceptions to this rule of employment, though. For instance, you cannot be fired for reasons that violate public policy, such as reporting illegal activities. Additionally, you cannot be fired for exercising your rights to take family or medical leave or filing a workers’ compensation claim.
It could also be considered wrongful termination if your employer makes your work environment so intolerable that you are forced to resign. This is known as constructive discharge. If either of these instances occurs, you may be entitled to legal remedies if you can prove that your resignation was due to your employer’s illegal conduct.
There are laws in California and at the federal level that protect employees’ right to join labor unions and engage in collective bargaining. You have the right to join or form a labor union and engage in union activities without fear of retaliation from your employer. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects employees’ right to organize, form, join, or assist a union and to engage in other collective bargaining activities.
In the event that your workplace is unionized, you have the right to be represented by your union in negotiations over wages, working conditions, benefits, and other aspects of your employment.
You are entitled to a wide array of rights that protect your financial well-being, physical and emotional safety, and personal dignity as an employee in Pasadena. Federal, state, and local laws govern these rights, and employers are legally obligated to comply with them. No matter the circumstance, if you feel your employee rights have been violated, it is time to get in contact with a Pasadena employment lawyer.
The legal team at Nosratilaw, A Professional Law Corporation, has substantial experience dealing with cases like these. We have worked with clients for years, helping to protect their rights in the workforce and seeking compensation for lost wages when those rights have been violated. If you need help understanding your employee rights and coming up with a legal strategy for a workplace dispute, contact our office today.
