Reports of discrimination, harassment, wage issues, or wrongful termination often lead to companies conducting an internal investigation. Sometimes, these companies carry out investigations in a manner that does not effectively search and uncover real answers, and having an employment attorney can be crucial. A Los Angeles workplace investigations lawyer at Erkel Law, P.C. can represent you in these stressful situations and ensure your voice is heard.
Employment investigations are often triggered after an employee reports discrimination or harassment based on a protected characteristic, such as disability, pregnancy, sex, race, or age. Other common reasons for an investigation include when an employee reports problems with wages, working conditions, or retaliation.
A workplace investigation lawyer in Los Angeles can explain the process and what rights you have at every stage. You may feel anxious at the prospect of participating in an investigation, as you might worry you will say the wrong thing or get in trouble, but an experienced attorney can prepare you by going over typical questions and discussing how to respond with the truth. This type of support can reduce stress and help protect your credibility.
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on protected characteristics or retaliating against employees for reporting mistreatment. These rights are still in effect during an investigation, and a Los Angeles employment investigation attorney can help you understand whether your rights are being respected throughout the process.
Unfortunately, not every investigation is fair. Some are handled too hastily, rely only on management’s version of events, or are conducted by someone who already has an opinion about the outcome. A lawyer can help you recognize when an investigation seems biased or incomplete and can explain whether there are options to challenge or document those concerns.
Some workplace investigations can begin just before someone is fired or immediately after. These circumstances raise questions about whether the investigation is simply an attempt to justify the employer’s predetermined decision. Legal guidance during workplace investigations can help uncover if the employer’s explanation has inconsistencies.
If you believe you were wrongfully fired, denied reasonable accommodations, mistreated, or harassed, Erkel Law, P.C. can help. An employment lawyer in Los Angeles can review the timeline of events to look for clues that the employer used the investigation to aid the misconduct.
Documentation can help clarify what happened. Helpful types of documentation include:
A Los Angeles workplace investigations attorney can help you document, organize, prioritize, and manage these materials. You will also need to follow confidentiality rules carefully: you may retain certain documents and should not copy others. This careful recordkeeping can support your position throughout the investigation.
Your employer may either take action or decide that no changes are necessary at the end of the investigation. Speaking with a Los Angeles workplace investigations lawyer is a logical next step if the result is not what you were hoping for or if it seems unfair. Call an attorney at Erkel Law, P.C. to review the results of the investigation and discuss the possible options going forward.
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