Employment law in California is governed by a complex web of state and federal regulations. Employees have the right to pursue legal action if their employer breaks these rules. An employment lawyer in Ontario can help you understand your rights and options if you think your employer has treated you unfairly.
California highly values and protects the rights of workers throughout the country, including Ontario, CA. This is why there are extensive laws that prevent unlawful conduct against workers. Ontario Employment Attorney Mohamed Eldessouky is an employment lawyer experienced at litigating common workplace violations that workers face in Ontario, CA. Mr Eldessouky has fought staunchly for the rights of workers in this city and is experienced at helping them secure justice at the San Bernadino County Courthouse. Any worker whose employment rights have been violated can find legal guidance and representation from Eldessouky Law.
Under California’s employment laws, it is illegal to subject workers to unfair or unsafe workplace conditions such as discrimination and a hostile work environment. All workers in Ontario deserve to work in an environment that is fair and free from retaliation and wrongful termination. If your rights at work are being breached in any way, talk to our Ontario, CA wage and hour violation and retaliation attorney today.
If you have questions about your rights as an employee in California or wish to discuss your case confidentially with one of our experienced California employment attorneys, contact our office at 714-409-8991 or fill out one of our contact forms online.
What is Employer Retaliation?
Retaliation is one of the most difficult violations that employees face in CA workplaces. Sadly, it is also one of the most common. Retaliation is when an employer, a supervisor or co-workers want to “punish” a person for doing what is right or protected under the law. In instances of retaliation, the goal is to “make the worker pay” for engaging in actions that are protected by the law.
An example of retaliation is when your employer does not take it too kindly that you reported an illegal situation at work or chose to use your leave. In such instances, if they take negative employment actions against you, such as demoting you or depriving you of certain benefits, it may be retaliation.
How Does Retaliation Occur?
There are several ways that retaliation can occur in a CA workplace. Although, most of these are in the form of negative employment actions or unfair treatment at work because of your protected action. Some of the ways in which retaliation can occur include:
- Giving you a query because you took part in protected activity such as a protest for unfair work conditions
- Re-assigning you to less fulfilling tasks because you complained about an illegal condition at work
- Threatening to terminate your employment if you fail to stop standing up for the workplace rights of another employee
- Demoting you because you testified in another employee’s complaint or court action
- Depriving you of your fairly earned benefits because you insisted on taking your legally earned leave and much more
Retaliation can be very subtle when it occurs, as the perpetrator is usually careful to mask their true actions. But if you suspect you have been retaliated against at work, our Ontario retaliation and wrongful termination attorneys can help you. Our Ontario attorneys possess the skills and experience to investigate the unlawful conduct you have suffered and hold your employer accountable.
Ontario Wrongful Termination Lawyer
California laws are very clear on how they protect the rights of workers in Ontario, CA and throughout San Bernardino County. At Eldessouky Law, our wrongful termination attorneys work incessantly to educate our clients about these rights and how to enforce them.
All employers in Ontario are aware of these rights and yet, many ignore them and treat employees unfairly. This has been the case in many CA workplaces, even right here in Ontario where the city council was sued for the discriminatory conduct of five managers.
If you have been treated unfairly or made to suffer illegal conduct at work, California laws entitle you to justice and fair compensation. Schedule a free consultation with our Ontario discrimination and hostile work environment attorneys today.
Top Employers in Ontario, CA
With more than 163,000 residents, Ontario, CA is home to the 15th busiest airport in the US and several other employers that provide rewarding earning opportunities.
Some of the largest employers in the city include:
- Ontario International Airport: 5,000–9,999 employees
- Safariland: 500–999 employees
- Sam’s Club Distribution: 500–999 employees
- Securitas: 500–999 employees
- Target Distribution: 500–999 employees
- United Parcel Service (UPS): 500–999 employees
No matter their size or how strong their legal team is, all these employers are duty bound to respect the rights of workers. Where they fail in this duty to our clients, our employment law attorneys will pursue them for the wrong they have done.
Areas of Employment Law Our Ontario Employment Law Firm Handles
At Eldessouky Law, our practice areas are focused on protecting the rights employees against the most common violations they face at work.
Our practice areas in Ontario, CA include:
- Hostile work environment claims, including:
- Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
- Wage and hour claims, including:
- Underpaid regular pay rates
- Unpaid rest or break times
- Overtime payment discrepancies
- Severance terms, agreements, and enforcement procedures
- Retaliation claims
- Wrongful termination
- Disability Discrimination
If you have been victimized by illegal conduct bordering on any of these practice areas, contact Eldessouky Law today. Our wrongful termination attorney in Ontario, CA will help you understand how to proceed against your employer and recover fair compensation for your injuries.
Can My Employer Fire Me After Filing a Discrimination Complaint?
Under California law, it is illegal to terminate an employee because of reasons that amount to retaliation. The purpose of these laws is to protect the rights of employees to insist on receiving fair treatment under the law and not being victimized for this. It would be entirely useless if the law guarantees your rights to freedom from discrimination without protecting you from a possible backlash.
This is why retaliation is declared illegal under the Fair Employment and Housing Act. Government Code section 12940(h). Employers are prevented from taking any kind of negative employment decision against a worker that is covered under these laws.
Who is covered under California retaliation laws? Essentially any employee who participates in a protected activity. This includes:
- Complaining about discrimination in the workplace
- Requesting for reasonable accommodation for a religious practice or disability
- Testifying on behalf of a co-worker that was targeted for discrimination or workplace harassment
- Standing up for the rights of fellow employees who have been victimized in any manner at work
- Reporting illegal conduct or conditions at work, such as OSHA violations etc.
Under these laws, an employer may not take or even threaten any negative action against the employee because of their protected activity. It is unlawful to subject the employee to harassment either from the boss, supervisors or co-workers.
Must I File a Complaint if I Would Be Retaliated Against?
Sometimes, you may be scared that your job, or even career may be at risk if you choose to protest against unlawful conduct at work. This may be because your employer has a history of taking negative treatment against those that complain.
The first thing you should note is that your employer cannot legally discipline you for filing a complaint. They cannot even threaten you with disciplinary employment action. If you are considering filing a complaint but are concerned you may be retaliated against, there are several options you can explore.
You may go ahead and file the complaint. If your employer retaliates against you for doing so, you can make this an additional claim when filing a lawsuit against the employer. In deserving cases, the court may order that you be reinstated into your position at work. In most cases, you will also be entitled to back pay and benefits for the period when you were wrongfully terminated.
That said, it would be best overall to consult with an Ontario, CA retaliation attorney to understand your options. They will explain how the law protects you and what steps you may take to enforce your rights.
Schedule a Free, No-Obligation With Eldessouky Law Today
Our trial attorneys have helped several California employees like you secure justice for the harm done to them. Schedule a free consultation with our Ontario, CA employment attorney by calling us at 714-409-8991 today.
