Modesto Employment Law Attorneys

Protecting the Rights of Modesto Workers

California is known for its strong worker protections. However, employers still violate these laws and take advantage of their employees. If you believe your employer has violated your rights, you need an experienced employment law attorney on your side. At Polaris Law Group, our Modesto employment lawyers are dedicated to helping workers fight back against unfair treatment. We have a deep understanding of California employment laws and can help you navigate the legal process.

Call (888) 796-4010 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation with our Modesto employment lawyers.

What is Employment Law?

Employment law refers to the body of laws, regulations, and legal principles that govern the employer-employee relationship. It covers a wide range of issues related to the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees in the workplace. Here are some common types of cases within the realm of employment law:

• Wrongful Termination: Occurs when an employee is dismissed without legal justification or in violation of employment contracts or public policy.
• Employment Discrimination: Involves treating employees unfairly based on certain protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.
• Sexual Harassment: Inappropriate and unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in the workplace, creating a hostile or intimidating environment.
• Wage and Hour Claims: Disputes related to payment of wages, including issues such as minimum wage violations, unpaid overtime, and failure to provide proper meal and rest breaks.
• Meal and Rest Breaks: Cases involving an employer's failure to provide required meal and rest breaks as mandated by labor laws.
• Overtime Pay: Disputes over the proper payment of overtime for eligible employees who work beyond regular working hours.
• Employment Contracts: Disputes arising from the terms and conditions outlined in employment contracts, including issues of breach of contract.
• Employee Classification: Concerns the classification of workers as either employees or independent contractors, impacting their rights and benefits.
• Employee Retaliation: Occurs when an employer takes adverse action against an employee for engaging in protected activities, such as reporting workplace violations.
• Whistleblower Claims: Involves employees who report illegal or unethical activities within their organization and face retaliation as a result.
• Protected Leaves of Absence: Disputes related to employees' rights to take leave under federal or state laws, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
• FMLA Violations: Cases where employers fail to comply with the requirements of the Family and Medical Leave Act, which provides eligible employees with job-protected leave for specific family or medical reasons.
• Severance Issues: Disputes over the terms and conditions of severance packages offered to employees upon termination.
• Contract Disputes: General disputes arising from employment contracts, including disagreements over terms, conditions, and obligations.

Employment Laws in California

California has comprehensive employment laws that provide various protections and rights for employees. Here are some key aspects of California employment laws:

• At-Will Employment: California follows the at-will employment doctrine, which means that in the absence of a written employment contract, either the employer or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, with some exceptions.
• Minimum Wage: California has its own minimum wage rates, which are higher than the federal minimum wage. The state regularly adjusts these rates, and employers must comply with the current minimum wage laws.
• Overtime Pay: California law requires employers to pay overtime to non-exempt employees who work more than eight hours in a workday or 40 hours in a workweek. Additionally, certain employees are entitled to overtime pay for work beyond 12 hours in a workday.
• Meal and Rest Breaks: Employees in California are entitled to specific meal and rest breaks. Generally, employees are entitled to a 30-minute meal break for every five hours worked and 10-minute rest breaks for every four hours worked.
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): California prohibits discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, and more. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) provides broader protections than federal law.
• Family and Medical Leave: California provides additional family and medical leave rights beyond the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave for specified family and medical reasons.
• Pregnancy Disability Leave: California provides additional protections for pregnant employees, including pregnancy disability leave, which allows eligible employees to take up to four months of leave for pregnancy-related disabilities.
• Sexual Harassment Prevention Training: California law requires employers with five or more employees to provide sexual harassment prevention training to all employees every two years.
• Whistleblower Protections: Employees in California are protected from retaliation for reporting violations of laws or regulations by their employers.
• Workers' Compensation: Employers in California are required to carry workers' compensation insurance to provide benefits for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.
• Recordkeeping Requirements: Employers in California must maintain certain records related to wages, hours worked, and other employment-related information.
• Privacy Rights: California has stringent privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which provides certain privacy rights to employees regarding their personal information.