■  Wrongful termination

Has your employer fired you because of a legally protected characteristic, such as your race, gender, or religion? Or have they violated your employment contract? This may be a form of wrongful termination. 

Our attorneys can evaluate your circumstances to determine whether you may have a wrongful termination claim and, if so, discuss your legal options. You may be able to report this action to California’s Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and seek a reversal of the action. You may also have the right to pursue damages, such as lost wages or emotional distress.

■  Wage and Hour Disputes

Your employer is legally required to pay you for the hours you worked at the agreed-upon wage. Wage and hour disputes sometimes arise over:

• Failure to provide overtime pay 
• Violating California’s minimum wage laws 
• Failing to reimburse covered employee expenses
• Not providing legally mandated meal and rest breaks
• Requiring employees to work off the clock without compensation 

Under California law, you have the right to the wages you lawfully earned. If your employer has violated wage laws, seek assistance from our employment lawyers in Alameda County. 

■  Workplace Discrimination and Harassment

You have the right to a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. However, if a coworker or supervisor has discriminated against you based on your race, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, or another characteristic, they may have violated employment law. You should also not need to endure sexual harassment or actions from coworkers that create a hostile work environment. 

If you have experienced harassment or discrimination, our discrimination lawyers can help you understand your rights and legal options. 

■  Retaliation

Your employer legally cannot take negative action against you in response to you upholding your employee rights. This would be considered retaliation. 

Examples of retaliation in Alameda County might include:

• Your boss firing you after you file a harassment claim with HR
• Your manager moving you to a less-desirable position after you report discrimination
• Your boss passing you up for a promotion after you defend a coworker who was being treated unfairly

If you believe you have experienced retaliation in the workplace, our employment lawyers in Alameda County can help you understand the grounds for retaliation claims. 

■  Leave of absence disputes 

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) grants many workers the right to take a protected leave of absence due to qualifying circumstances, such as pregnancy, family member emergencies, disability, and certain medical conditions. This act requires certain employers to provide an unpaid leave of absence for a specific period, during which they hold the worker’s position until they return. 

If your employer laid you off during this leave of absence or moved you to a less desirable position without cause, you may have a claim against them for violating the FMLA.