• Fighting Workplace Discrimination

    Workplace Discrimination in San Jose All employees are protected from workplace discrimination by federal and state law. For example, California residents are protected by both the Fair Employment and Housing Act, and the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1991. If you feel that you may have been the victim of any type of workplace discrimination, you have the right to contact a labor law attorney for advice regarding employment law. An employment discrimination lawyer in San Jose can determine whether the discriminatory actions you have suffered are illegal.

    In the event that you’ve been the victim of discriminatory actions such as those based on age, gender, religion, race, sexual orientation, disability, or marital status, your labor law attorney can file a claim on your behalf. Many people hesitate to file a discrimination claim out of fear of retaliation. However, retaliation for reporting or objecting to discrimination is also illegal. In fact, evidence of retaliation can serve to substantiate your claim of discrimination.

  • Understanding Wrongful Termination and Your Rights

    Attorney in San Jose If you’ve recently been fired and you feel the action was unjust, you may wish to consider consulting an employment lawyer to determine whether you were the victim of wrongful termination. As your labor law attorney near San Jose can explain to you, most jobs are based on at-will employment. This means that as long as an employee is not fired for an illegal reason, an employer may fire him or her without having a good reason or even having a reason at all. Your employment lawyer can identify exceptions to this rule and file a complaint on your behalf if you were indeed wrongfully terminated.

    1. Contracts
    You may not be an at-will employee if you signed a written contract when you took the job. Your wrongful termination lawyer can review your contract to determine if there is a clause that spells out legitimate reasons for the firing. However, even if you lack a written contract, you may be able to prove wrongful termination based on an implied contract. An implied contract occurs when your employer says something or acts in a manner so as to make you believe that you can continue your employment for a certain period of time.

    2. Good Faith
    You may have grounds for a wrongful termination complaint if your employment lawyer determines that your employer may have breached the duty of good faith and fair dealing. For example, your employer may have fired you to prevent you from collecting sales commissions. Or, you may have been repeatedly transferred to dangerous or undesirable assignments in an attempt to force you to quit before you could collect benefits.

    3. Public Policy
    Violations of public policy can vary from state to state. For example, you might be protected from being fired because you volunteer as a firefighter. You are also protected from termination because of whistleblowing, taking time off to vote or serve on a jury, and serving in the military or National Guard.

    4. Discrimination
    Wrongful termination because of discrimination is another reason to consult an employment lawyer. If you feel you were fired because of your gender, religion, age, disability, race, color, national origin, or pregnancy status, your lawyer can file a complaint with the appropriate agency and then help you file a lawsuit against your employer.

  • Getting Help from a Lawyer for Workplace Harassment

    Employment law is often confusing. It can be difficult to know exactly which laws and regulations apply to your situation. This is one way in which a labor attorney in San Jose can provide invaluable help. Your sexual harassment attorney can help you understand the laws that are applicable to you and what your legal rights are. A lawyer can also provide advice on how you should deal with your employer and other relevant parties during the legal process.

    For more tips on obtaining legal advice from a sexual harassment attorney, you can watch this video. This expert discusses the importance of having someone with the right knowledge and experience on your side, and how an attorney can sort through evidence and address potential witnesses.

  • What to Know If You’re Sexually Harassed at Work

    Attorney in San Jose Did you know that the majority of workers who suffer from sexual harassment never report these incidences, either to their employers or to a sexual harassment attorney? You don’t have to let your tormenter get away with crude behaviors; you do have legal rights and recourse. If you’ve suffered from unwanted advances or other types of sexual harassment at work, it’s in your best interests to contact a sexual harassment attorney in San Jose. Your employment harassment lawyer can inform you of everything you need to know to successfully handle your claim.

    1. Understand Your Company’s Sexual Harassment Policy
    The first step you should take after experiencing sexual harassment is to find your company’s policy on these types of behaviors. Check your employee handbook, union contract, postings in the break room, and similar areas, or ask your point of contact in the human resources department for a copy of the policy. The policy should outline the exact steps you need to take to report the incident. If the person to whom you’re supposed to report the incident is the person who has harassed you, go to that person’s supervisor. If your company lacks a sexual harassment policy, you can report the incident in writing to your supervisor or ask your sexual harassment attorney for guidance.

    2. Avoid Giving Your Two Weeks’ Notice
    When dealing with sexual harassment, it’s all too common for the victims to quit out of fear or shame. While it’s your right to quit any time you wish, you should be aware that in doing so, you may forfeit your right to file a sexual harassment lawsuit. If your employer has a sexual harassment policy, you must follow the steps outlined in that policy and allow your employer the chance to take appropriate disciplinary action. If you quit before your employer has this opportunity, you may not be able to file a lawsuit. However, if you feel that your physical safety is in jeopardy or your mental health is at risk, you might decide that it’s worth it to find a new job.

    3. Document and Report All Incidences
    Your sexual harassment attorney will need thorough documentation of all incidences of sexual harassment. Carry a small notebook around your office with you and write down the dates and times of all incidents, as well as what happened. Report each incident to your supervisor promptly.