3 Signs You May Need an Employment Attorney

Americans work an average of 34.4 hours per week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With so much time spent interacting with coworkers, things are bound to go wrong every now and then, but not all workplace conflicts require a lawyer. Some have no legal basis at all. Here are a few signs it may be time to take legal action.

Discrimination or Harassment

Workplace harassment or discrimination is the sad reality of work culture today and has become a serious issue in modern times. 

Discrimination comes down to an employer treating you differently based on traits such as race, age, gender, religion, or if you have a disability. If these characteristics affect the hiring process, job assignments, promotions, wages, or other conditions, it may be time to find an employment attorney.

If you feel you’re being sexually harassed, assaulted, or suffering a similar issue, you may need to take legal action. An employment lawyer will know how to address your company’s policy, HR manager, and alleged harasser.

Retaliation After Whistleblowing

Whistleblower laws protect employees who expose their employer’s illegal activities or misconduct. If you speak up about a situation at the workplace and your employer takes disciplinary action against you, it’s best to consult an attorney. Employment lawyers can tell you if the law will protect you from those actions and what procedures you need to follow in order to benefit from that protection.

Wrongful Termination

Businesses are mandated to offer just cause when letting an employee go. Whatever the case may be, if you’ve been terminated without a sufficient reason, it could be grounds for a lawsuit. 

In California, employment is at-will, meaning either the employer or the employee can terminate the employment for any reason by giving notice. However, some reasons qualify as wrongful termination. You may want to reach out to an attorney if you believe you were terminated for reasons that include a worker’s compensation claim, pregnancy, taking protected leave, discrimination, or retaliation.

If you believe you need to take legal action against your employer, our attorneys at Gokal Law are here to help. Contact us or give us a call at 949 753 9100 to speak with our team about your situation.