2024 What Are My Rights as an Employee in Los Angeles?

Posted on April 8, 2024 | By Omid Nosrati | Employment Law

If you work in the Los Angeles area, you may be wondering, “What are my rights as an employee in Los Angeles?” If this is a question that you have, and you have other similar questions, you should consider engaging a Los Angeles employment attorney. An experienced employment lawyer could be the resource that you need to resolve any employment-related legal matter.

Employee Rights

Employees in Los Angeles are entitled to several rights while in the workplace. Some of those rights can include:

• Workplace safety. All employees are entitled to a safe workplace that is free of dangerous conditions, such as toxins or chemicals, that can cause serious long-term injuries or illnesses.
• Privacy. Employees have a right to a reasonable amount of privacy while in the workplace. This could include personal phone conversations within a reasonable amount of time or other certain personal possessions.
• Fair wages. Employees in the workplace are entitled to receive fair pay for the work that they perform. Fair wages could include minimum wage pay or overtime pay. California employers must adhere to wage and hour labor laws. Any violations of these laws could lead to an employment law claim.
• Protection from discrimination or harassment. Employees have the right to a workplace environment that is free of any harassment or discrimination. This includes harassment or discrimination on the basis of the employee’s sex, race, religion, age, gender, or any disability that they may have.
• Protection against retaliation. Employees are protected from facing retaliation from their employer if they decide to come forward with a complaint or claim against their employer.
• Protection against wrongful termination. Employees have the right to protection from being terminated for discriminatory reasons or as retaliation for bringing forward a claim.
• Meal break. Employers are required by law to give their employees lunch breaks. All non-exempt employees who work more than five hours in a workday are entitled to lunch breaks. The lunch break must be for at least thirty minutes, according to labor laws.
• Sick leave. Employees are entitled to take sick time when they need it. Most full-time employees in California are entitled to at least three full workdays of paid sick time off for each twelve-month period worked.
• Family and medical leave. Employees are also entitled to take time off for family- or medical-related reasons as appropriate.

FAQs

Q: What Are My Human Rights as an Employee?

A: As an employee, your human rights are protected under the law. Those rights include the right to not be harassed or discriminated against on the basis of your race, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or genetic information. Employees also have the right to receive equal pay for equal work performed.

Employee rights are enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If you believe that your employer has violated your human rights, you should speak with an experienced discrimination attorney for help.

Q: What Are the Basic Rights of an Employee in the Workplace?

A: The basic rights of an employee at the workplace include:

• The right to be free from unlawful harassment or discrimination
• The right to a safe work environment that is free of any dangerous conditions or toxic substances
• The right to be free from any retaliation for filing a complaint against the employer
• The right to legally determined wages in exchange for work performed

There are other rights that employees are entitled to in the workplace, but these are some of the most basic.

Q: What Qualifies as Wrongful Termination in California?

A: In California, wrongful termination can be any unlawful dismissal of an employee by their employer. If an employer terminates an employee for reasons that violate state or federal employment laws, then that could lead to a wrongful termination claim. Some common claims can include being terminated on the basis of the employee’s race, disability, age, or pregnancy.

If you or someone you know has been wrongfully terminated because of one of these factors, then you may be eligible to pursue a wrongful termination case.

Q: What Is the Los Angeles Right-to-Work Law?

A: There is no right-to-work law in Los Angeles. A right-to-work law prevents employees from being required to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. It also bans union security agreements, wherein non-union employees can be compelled to help pay for the costs of being represented by the union. The state of California is not a right-to-work state. There have been multiple attempts to implement such legislation in California, but none have been successful thus far.

Q: What Laws Protect Employee Rights?

A: Employees in California are protected by several different laws. For example, the Fair Employment and Housing Act makes it unlawful for an employer to hire, fire, recruit, promote, or refuse employment to anyone on the basis of their race, religion, sex, disability, gender, origin, or pregnancy. Other laws protecting employee’s rights include:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
• The Equal Pay Act of 1963
• The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990

Legal Representation When You Need It

It is important that all employees understand the rights that they have. The state of California is home to thousands of employers, and each employer is held accountable under state and federal employment laws. As an employee, you should know that there is a legal team that is ready and willing to assist you if your employer violates any of these laws. If your employer denies your rights as an employee, you should get the legal help you need.

At Nosratilaw, A Professional Law Corporation, our legal team can provide you with effective support as you navigate your legal claim. Our firm has the dedication, compassion, and determination necessary to help you resolve your case in a way that is favorable to you. If your rights have been infringed upon, you need experienced and qualified legal help on your side. Contact our office today to see how our team can assist you.