Discrimination: Hidden and Destructive Employer Bias
Discrimination has been vigorously challenged for many years and it is rare for an employer to blatantly discriminate or leave evidence of company bias. Victims of race discrimination might be experiencing a workplace where only Caucasians are promoted to managerial positions while people of color are relegated to stocking shelves or other menial jobs. There may be a refusal to promote an employee to a top managerial position whose spouse is of ethnic decent. Women may be passed over due to an assumption they are of child bearing age, thus potentially exposing the company to providing expensive benefits.
Racial or gender discrimination can be seen where there is a pattern of conduct showing one ethnic group or gender being categorized as ‘workers’ and consistently denied managerial or executive positions.
Discrimination cases require special strategies to collect evidence of a pattern of conduct that is harmful to the employee. At Yedidsion Law Group, we use a team approach to assist our clients in assembling evidence, consulting experts where needed and documenting violations of the law.
Employee Rights Attorney Los Angeles – Challenging Employers Breaking the Rules
Another area of violation of labor law concerns the subject of breaks and time off. In California there are strict rules providing for employees to have a rest period and regular meal breaks. Employers must provide an uninterrupted 10-minute break for employees for every four hours worked. This break cannot be deducted from wages. You can agree to skip your 10-minute break as long as you aren’t being forced by your employer. There are subtle ways that an employer can make it uncomfortable for you to take your break and if you feel this is happening to you, contact one of our employee rights attorneys. Los Angeles has a large immigrant workforce and unfortunately some employers take advantage of their position over employees who fear they will lose their job if they take their mandated breaks.
Employers must also provide a 30-minute break if you work five hours or more. If your breaks are not given, you are entitled to one hour of regular pay for each day that your rights to a break are violated. There are instances where an employee can agree to take their meals while working but if so, this does count as time worked and must be paid. There can be no pressure to combine work and meal breaks and must be at the discretion of the employee.
Our employment law attorneys are familiar with employer tactics and will fight to make sure that your claim is handled fairly and settled at its maximum value. As an employee you have rights that are protected by local, state, and federal laws. Employers cannot discriminate against you on the basis of your age, sex, race, religion, or national origin. You are entitled to a workplace free of sexual and other harassment. You must be paid adequately and appropriately for the time you work, and must be given secured time-off in the event of an illness suffered by you or a member of your family.
If you believe that you have been the victim of any type of employment discrimination, our attorneys want to help make sure that your needs are finally met and that your rights are finally protected. Call us at 310-402-2775 for a free confidential consultation.