Buena Park Workplace Retaliation Lawyer

Buena Park Workplace Retaliation Attorney

Everyone expects to be treated fairly in the workplace. Asking for the bare minimum of respect and decency is not unreasonable. When your employer goes out of their way to make life difficult for you, it’s not crazy to feel like you’re being singled out. Sometimes, your employer may even fire you for bringing certain behaviors to light, and that can be considered retaliation. You may want to consider speaking with a Buena Park workplace retaliation lawyer.

What Is Retaliation in the Workplace?

Workplace retaliation is the result of your employer taking illegal action against you as punishment for doing the right thing. Retaliation can take many different forms, including termination of your employment, discrimination in the workplace, demotion, and even a pay cut. When retaliation happens, it is usually the result of speaking out against discrimination in the workplace, blowing the whistle on illegal activities, or being part of an investigation.

Retaliation in the workplace is illegal under California’s comprehensive labor laws and could open your employer up to any number of workplace grievances, legal actions, and investigations by the Retaliation Complaint Investigation Unit (RCI).

If you find out you are being retaliated against in the workplace, you should reach out to an employment lawyer as soon as you can. You may be able to get ahead of the discrimination and take legal action against your employer.

When it comes to combating retaliation, you may be understandably hesitant to reach out to a lawyer. Your employer may attempt to gaslight you into thinking you’ll lose your job if you fight back. When your income is at risk, it can be hard to take action, even if you know it’s the right thing to do.

An experienced workplace retaliation lawyer can inform you of your options and make sure you are not taken advantage of by your employer, regardless of threats you’ve received.

Grounds for a Retaliation Claim

If your employer has taken action to undermine your employee rights or outright threatens you, it is important that you document your interactions as much as you can. The more evidence you have, the better your chances of holding them accountable.

There are many different behaviors your employer could engage in that may be considered retaliatory:

• Wrongful Termination: California is an at-will employment state, so technically, your employer does not need a reason to fire you. They can do so whenever they want for whatever reason, as long as that reason does not conflict with state employment law. Being fired as retaliation for something you did is illegal under state labor laws, and you may have grounds for a wrongful termination case.
• Sexual Harassment: In a hostile work environment, you may find yourself having to deal with sexual harassment from your superior. This could be punishment for reporting workplace misconduct or refusing sexual advances. If you are facing sexual harassment in the workplace, you should immediately reach out to an employment lawyer and the police.
• Illegal Activities: If your employer demands your engagement in certain illegal activities, your refusal to participate could result in your employer retaliating against you in an illegal way. By choosing to protect yourself, you could be labeled “difficult” and no longer considered to be a “team player,” which could affect your working environment. The goal may be to make the workplace so unbearable that you quit on your own.

FAQs About Buena Park,CA Workplace Retaliation Law

Can I Take Legal Action Against My Employer for Retaliation in California?

Yes, you can take legal action against your employer for workplace retaliation in California. If your employer takes action against you in an attempt to punish you, hurt you, or create a hostile work environment, that will likely be considered retaliation, and you may have a substantial case. If you are concerned that your employer is retaliating against you, you should reach out to an employment lawyer who can help you build a solid case.

How Much Compensation Can I Receive for a Retaliation Case in California?

There is no telling how much compensation you can receive for a retaliation case in California. Every retaliation case is different, with each one having its own specific factors that may affect the outcome of the case and the size of the settlement. The settlement amount may also be affected by whether the case is settled out of court, as well as the size and power of the company retaliating against you.

How Do You Prove Retaliation in the Workplace in California?

In order to prove retaliation in the workplace in California, you must gather as much evidence as you can to prove your version of events. This might be easier said than done, and an employment lawyer can help you find what you need. Evidence can be anything that shows a definitive link between your treatment at work and a protected activity you engaged in. Evidence could include emails, performance reviews, written correspondence, and even witness testimony.

How Can I Make My Retaliation Case Strong in California?

There are three primary elements that make a strong retaliation case in California. For your case to succeed, you need to demonstrate that you engaged in a protected activity, such as reporting unsafe conditions or blowing the whistle on illegal activity, your employer took adverse action against you because of that activity, and there is a clear, direct link between those two events. Gather as much evidence as you can that proves these three elements.

Reach Out to a Workplace Retaliation Lawyer Today

Expecting fair treatment in the workplace is not unreasonable. When your employer mistreats you or discriminates against you because you did something within your rights, holding them accountable is important for you and everyone else who works for them. It’s important to know your rights as a California worker and fight to protect them.

At Canlas Law Group, APLC, we can help you build a case that proves retaliation occurred in your place of employment. Contact us to speak with one of our valued team members about your case and how we can help you.