Employees may have the right to pursue legal action if they have been subjected to unlawful discrimination in the workplace.
Federal and California laws generally prohibit employers from treating employees unfairly based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin, or other protected statuses.
Discrimination can occur in hiring, promotions, pay, discipline, termination, workplace policies, and other employment decisions.
Whether you have a valid claim depends on the specific facts and evidence involved. An employment attorney can review your situation and help determine whether your rights may have been violated and what legal remedies may be available.
Workplace harassment should never be ignored. If you believe you are being harassed at work, it is important to document the conduct, preserve any relevant communications, and follow your employer’s reporting procedures when appropriate.
Harassment can take many forms, including unwanted comments, offensive jokes, intimidation, threats, or inappropriate conduct based on a protected characteristic such as race, sex, religion, age, disability, or national origin.
If the harassment continues or your employer fails to address the issue, you may have legal options available. Speaking with an employment attorney can help you understand your rights and determine the best course of action.
Bringing as much documentation as possible helps us better evaluate your potential claim. Helpful materials may include:
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of the matter, number of parties involved, court scheduling, and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial. Some matters resolve through negotiation; others require formal litigation. During your consultation, we can provide a more tailored assessment based on your situation.
The compensation available depends on the facts of each matter. Potential damages may include:
Employees who have not been properly compensated for overtime may be entitled to recover unpaid wages and other damages. Common wage and hour violations include:
An attorney can review your circumstances and determine whether you may have a claim.
Retaliation occurs when an employer takes adverse action against an employee for engaging in a legally protected activity, such as:
Retaliation can take many forms, including termination, demotion, reduced hours, or other negative employment actions.
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employee is treated unfairly because of a protected characteristic such as race, gender, age, religion, or disability. Employees who have experienced discrimination may be entitled to pursue compensation and other legal remedies under California and federal law.
California is generally an at-will employment state, meaning employers can terminate employees for many reasons. However, employers cannot terminate employees for unlawful reasons such as discrimination, retaliation, whistleblowing, or other protected activities. Whether you have a valid claim depends on the specific facts of your situation, and speaking with an attorney is the best way to assess your options.
Erkel Law offers free case evaluations. Depending on the circumstances, attorney fees may be handled through a contingency arrangement, meaning no fees are owed unless compensation is recovered (unless otherwise agreed to in the engagement agreement). Clients may still be responsible for certain case-related costs and expenses. Fee structure will be discussed during your consultation.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different. We offer free case evaluations, and no attorney’s fees are owed unless we recover compensation unless otherwise agreed to in the engagement agreement; clients may be responsible for case-related costs and expenses. Recognition by third-party legal directories is based on their own criteria and does not imply specialization or certification. Descriptions of practice areas do not constitute certification or specialization unless expressly stated. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by any government agency.
