Best Employment Lawyers in Santa Ana, CA

FAQs

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

  (714) 245-8049 is the non-emergency dispatch line of the local police station in Santa Ana.

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

  To obtain a copy of police reports for incidents related to your case in Santa Ana, California, you can contact the Records Division at (714) 245-8600. Please note that to obtain a copy of a police report, you must be the person who filed the report, or you must be directly involved in the incident. Additionally, you will need to present a valid picture ID and pay the applicable fee. For more information, you can contact the Records Division at the provided number.

• What are considered illegal reasons for terminating an employee in Santa Ana?

  In Santa Ana, terminating an employee for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons is deemed illegal; such unlawful terminations may include firing an employee who reports sexual harassment, laying off individuals belonging to a protected class, firing an employee who requests disability accommodations, terminating an employee based on age, dismissing someone for requesting unpaid overtime compensation, and firing an employee who raises concerns about misclassification.

• Can you sign an employment contract in Santa Ana without a lawyer?

  Even though you can sign an employment contract in Santa Ana without a lawyer present, you should consult a qualified employment attorney first before signing, particularly for high-level positions or agreements with intricate benefits. Employment contracts frequently favor employers and may include provisions that limit an employee's legal options in the event of a future dispute. Therefore, having an experienced lawyer review the contract before signing can help protect your interests and ensure that you fully understand the terms of the agreement.

• What counts as workplace sexual harassment in Santa Ana?

  Workplace sexual harassment can be defined as any uninvited sexual overtures, unwanted requests for sexual acts, or other forms of sexual or physical abuse. This may also include obscene remarks or activities that produce an unwelcoming work environment. Whether an employee, a boss, a colleague, a customer, or a client, anyone who is a victim of workplace sexual harassment in Santa Ana can submit a complaint.

• Which categories of employees are protected from discrimination in the workplace in Santa Ana?

  The law prohibits employers in Santa Ana from discriminating against employees based on their age (over 40), gender identity, race, religion, genetic information, ancestry or national origin, disability, marital status, medical condition, military status, sex, or sexual orientation. Employees in California are protected from discrimination in the workplace by the Department of Fair Employment and Housing or DFEH. If an employee believes they have been discriminated against, they can take legal action with the help of an experienced employment attorney.

• What are the overtime wage requirements in Santa Ana?

  Employees in Santa Ana are entitled to receive 1.5 times their regular pay for working over 8 hours but less than 12 hours in a single workday, and for the first 8 hours worked on the 7th consecutive workday. For hours worked beyond 12 hours in a single workday and beyond 8 hours on the 7th consecutive workday, employees are entitled to receive 2 times their regular pay.

• 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.