Best Employment Lawyers in Concord

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Concord, California?

  You can call 925-671-3333 for non-emergency dispatch in Concord.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Concord, California?

  To obtain copies of police reports in Concord, email policerecords@cityofconcord.org with your name, report or call history number, and a copy of your ID attached. Once you receive confirmation that the document is ready for release, you may proceed to make the payment at www.cityofconcord.org/ccpayments.

• What is the minimum wage for Concord employees?

  Under the California Labor Code, Concord employees are subject to a minimum wage of $15.50 per hour, which exceeds the federal law requirement. However, exempt employees are entitled to a lower rate of $8.92 per hour for the first 160 hours of tenure. Even under collective bargaining agreements, the minimum wage is non-negotiable.

• What can you do if your Concord employer refuses to pay overtime work?

  You can file a lawsuit if your Concord employer refuses to compensate you for your overtime hours. Under California law, employers are required to pay their employees 1 1/2 times the standard pay rate for any work rendered exceeding eight hours per day and two times the regular pay rate for work exceeding 12 hours per workday.

• What qualifies as sexual harassment in the workplace in Concord?

  Sexual harassment in the workplace can take various forms, such as unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and innuendos of a sexual nature. In Concord, sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome conduct that creates an intimidating or hostile work environment based on an employee's sex, gender identity, pregnancy, or medical condition. This is regardless of whether it is motivated by sexual desire and can impact an individual's work performance.

• Which Concord laws are violated if a worker is terminated for taking maternity leave?

  Terminating someone for taking a pregnancy-related leave constitutes a violation of the California Family Rights Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and New Parent Leave Act. A Concord employer with at least 50 workers must grant employees 12 weeks of paid and unpaid job-protected leave each year.

• What is the deadline for filing a sexual harassment claim against one's employer in Concord?

  As stipulated in Assembly Bill No. 9, a Concord employee must file a sexual harassment claim with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing within three years from the date of the alleged incident. The complainant must file a sexual harassment lawsuit against their employer one year after receiving a right-to-sue letter from the DFEH.

• What does an employment attorney do?

  Employment attorneys represent workers, companies, unions, and advocacy groups. Their primary job is preventing and resolving disputes related to state and federal employment regulations as well as civil rights. They assist with the development of policies, including laws and employee handbooks, and they represent clients in court and during administrative hearings overseen by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state-level labor agencies.

• How much should I ask for in a discrimination lawsuit?

  Employment-related claims are among the most complex and time-consuming lawsuits heard in the civil court system. Before workers can file a lawsuit, they must file a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Every year, the EEOC recovers $505 million for victims of workplace discrimination. When cases proceed to court, the average settlement is approximately $40,000. However, roughly 10% of claimants receive at least $1 million.

• How do I prove discrimination in the workplace?

  Discrimination lawsuits are typically based on an established pattern of behavior in the workplace. Employment attorneys who handle these claims generally advise clients to gather evidence and document all instances of discrimination, harassment, or abuse, as they occur. The following documents are often vital for proving workplace discrimination:

  • Personnel files
  • Payroll records
  • Employee handbooks
  • Diary or journal entries
  • Medical or mental health records
  • Reports from witnesses
  • Photos or video footage
  • Physical evidence

  
  

• Can I sue my company for a hostile work environment?

  Yes, offensive or unwelcome conduct that creates a hostile work environment and affects your terms of employment may give you reason to take legal action. However, rude or abusive behavior on its own isn’t illegal. It must also be tied to other legal issues, such as retaliation for reporting harassment or discrimination directed at members of a protected group.

• What is the EEOC?

  The EEOC is the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It's a federal agency tasked with helping to enforce laws concerning discrimination in the workplace. Not all employers are covered under the EEOC. Typically, you have to work for an organization with at least 15 employees or for a labor union or agency to be covered by EEOC protections.

• How do I report an abusive boss?

  If you believe you're being discriminated against, you have several options. First, follow internal reporting procedures with human resources or other leadership. You can also file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. Talking to an employment attorney can help you understand your options and protect your interests.

• What laws protect employees from job discrimination?

  • The Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides employees with protection against discrimination based on a wide variety of factors, including national origin, sex, religion, race, and color.
  • The Age Discrimination Act of 1967 applies age to the protected class.
  • The Equal Pay Act of 1963 forbids sex-based compensation discrimination.
  • The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 makes it illegal to discriminate on the grounds of disability in terms of employment decisions.
  • The Civil Rights Act of 1991 adds more protection and power to the federal government to enforce some of these laws.

• How do I file a wrongful termination claim?

  You can file a wrongful termination claim with the EEOC online, via mail, or in person at various EEOC branch offices. You may be able to file a complaint with a state agency. To determine an appropriate plan of action and which organizations you can file with, speak to an employment lawyer.

• What is unfair treatment at work?

  Unfair treatment is not the same as unlawful treatment. There aren't laws against unfair treatment, which can include a boss who generally bullies people into action or someone who doesn't make fair decisions about time off because of nepotism or mood. Such issues may not constitute a claim for a court argument or allegation, unlike unjust judgments made on the grounds of race or age. An employment attorney can clarify if unfair treatment is also unlawful.

• What are some workers\' rights related to injury and illness?

  Employees have a variety of rights related to time off if they're injured or fall ill. For example, in workplaces covered by the Federal Medical Leave Act, workers are allowed to take up to 12 weeks off without losing their position in a company. The leave is unpaid unless PTO time can be used to cover it. Employees may also have rights to file a workers' comp claim if they're injured on the job. All of these laws cover different situations and types of employers, and an employment attorney can help you understand what rights you have.

• Can an employer force you to work?

  This is a gray area in some cases, which is why it may be a good idea to consult an employment lawyer if you have concerns about your workplace. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration , workers have a right to refuse to work in dangerous situations. But the burden of proof that this is, in fact, the case, can weigh heavily on the employee.