National City Class Action Employment Attorneys
Employment laws exist to protect employee rights in the workplace, which is especially important in a state like California that has a diverse workforce. If you and your coworkers are experiencing similar violations of your rights in the workplace, a National City class action employment lawyer can help you decide what to do next. At Jimenez Loayza, APC, we’re committed to helping employees like you fight for fair treatment and the compensation you deserve.
Many cases involving violations of workers’ rights are filed individually on behalf of a single employee, but in some cases, a class action is the more practical way for employees to protect themselves. Consulting with a local employment lawyer in National City can help determine whether a class action is the best path to securing justice. By taking collective legal action against an unlawful employer, National City employees can seek proper compensation and protect their rights for the future.
Common Types of Employment Class Actions in California
National City boasts a diverse workforce, and 61.8% of residents 16 and over are in the civilian labor force. Harvest Meat Company, Paradise Valley Hospital, and Sand Dollar Holdings are some of the largest businesses in the area.
California has complex laws and regulations in place to protect employee rights. Unfortunately, employees across the state experience violations of these laws despite the protections put in place.
In some cases, these injustices can impact a larger group of employees working in the same place of business.
When this happens, employees may decide to band together to file a class action claim instead of individual claims against their employer. Class action lawsuits are a powerful tool for employees to address widespread workplace violations, such as wage theft, discrimination, or unsafe working conditions. There are a wide range of case types that fall under employment law, and it’s crucial that you find a National City class action employment lawyer with experience representing cases like yours.
Some common employment class action cases filed in California include:
- Benefits violations. If an employer is intentionally mismanaging employees’ retirement accounts or benefits programs, the employees have the right to fight against the unlawful practices under a class action.
- Discrimination claims. These claims have to do with a group of employees experiencing wage discrimination based on characteristics like age, gender, race, or sexual orientation.
- Misclassification of employees. In some situations, an employer can misclassify an employee as an independent contractor in order to avoid paying them overtime or giving them benefits.
- Retaliation claims. If an employee decides to file a claim against their employer, and that employer reacts by negatively impacting their position at work, it is known as illegal retaliation. Employees can fight demotions, pay cuts, and wrongful termination, among other violations, on these grounds.
- Harassment cases. Employees can file a claim against their employer for creating a hostile work environment through pervasive harassment. This harassment can pertain to gender, race, religion, or other protected categories. A hostile work environment can result from pervasive harassment or discrimination, and employees have the right to take legal action to address these violations.
- Unsafe working conditions. If hazardous working conditions are negatively impacting employees and putting their health and safety at risk, they can file a class action against the employer for failing to provide a safe working environment.
- Wage and hour claims. These pertain to violations involving employees’ pay for their time and work. Issues that arise can include not paying minimum wage, not paying overtime, rejecting an employee’s access to their payroll information, violating the California Equal Pay Act (EPA), and more.
The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) requires that employers of five or more employees provide employees with certain rights, including job-protected leave, disability leave, sexual harassment training, and more.
How to File an Employment Class Action in National City
Filing an employment class action can be more complex than an individual claim, but it comes with its fair share of benefits. For example, by combining all the facts, evidence, and witnesses between a larger group of employees, you can improve your chances of being compensated for any number of workplace issues.
A National City class action employment lawyer can help guide you through the steps of filing your class action, which typically include:
- Gathering key evidence
- Identifying the claim and class
- Certifying the class of your claim
- Filing your complaint with a California state agency
- Filing the complaint with the court
- Entering discovery and negotiations
- Reaching a settlement or going to trial
FAQs About National City, California Employment Class Action Law
How Do I Know If I Was Wrongfully Terminated?
In almost every state, your employer can fire you at will, which means they don’t necessarily need to give you a reason for your termination. However, you can still be wrongfully terminated if you are fired for illegal reasons or in violation of a public or company policy. For example, you cannot be terminated for filing a complaint against your employer with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing an Employment Case?
The amount of time you have to file a claim regarding labor and employment can vary depending on the circumstances of your case. Under federal law, you typically have 180 days to file a claim against an employer with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. However, in California, you can submit a claim to the California Civil Rights Department within three years of an incident.
How Do I Start a Class Action Against My Employer?
To start a class action against an employer, it’s important to follow the right steps and have the right information to build your case. Additionally, you must apply for a certification of a class in order to prove you have a definite number of members who have supporting evidence and share a similar goal from the case.
What’s the Role of the Lead Plaintiff in a Class Action?
Upon forming a class action, you must establish a lead plaintiff who acts as the main representative for the case in the proceedings that follow. The lead plaintiff acts in the interest of the entire group and works alongside their National City class action employment lawyer to finalize decisions and move through the phases of the case.
Meet With a Knowledgeable National City Class Action Employment Lawyer
Our attorneys at Jimenez Loayza, APC, have hands-on experience handling claims regarding employment law. We’re ready to hear your story and begin working toward a solution that leaves you with the compensation you deserve. Call our office to set up an appointment. We can work together to seek justice on behalf of you and your fellow coworkers.
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