What Are My Rights as an Employee in Los Angeles?

Have you ever asked yourself, “What are my rights as an employee in Los Angeles?” You may be surprised by the number and extent of protections at your disposal as a California worker. In addition to remaining aware of your employee rights, don’t wait to consult with an experienced employment lawyer about violations of worker protections. The team at the Law Offices of Reisner & King LLP is prepared to guide and represent you in all legal proceedings.

Understanding Your Rights as a Worker in Los Angeles

All workers with a business employer of qualifying size have certain employee rights and protections. These include:

• A safe and healthy job environment that operates in accordance with Cal/OSHA regulations and guidelines: Examples include identifying potential health and safety hazards, properly training employees in how to work safely, and providing the tools or resources necessary to keep them safe.
• The right to take action without fear of punishment: Workers, whether legal citizens of the U.S. or independent contractors, have the right to tell their employer about infractions or file a claim and not be fired or punished for speaking up. This is sometimes referred to as whistleblowing, and employees are safeguarded by strong protections for whistleblowers under California law.
• Sufficient rest and meal breaks: Paid 10-minute breaks every four hours of work and a meal break after no more than five hours of work lasting at least 30 minutes is the law, and violations may be grounds for a meal and rest break violation claim.
• Wage standards: Employees have the right to minimum wage, timely payment at least twice a month with wage stubs, over- and double-time pay when appropriate, and benefits for injury or sick leave.

California already has many employee-oriented laws at the state level, but the city of Los Angeles has additional protections and requirements. Los Angeles provides workers with a higher minimum wage, more paid sick leave, and other job-specific protections, such as those for hotel and freelance workers.

Workplace Statistics and Employee Resources in LA

As a California resident and Los Angeles employee, you have certain legal rights that cannot be infringed upon. These rights cover a number of different aspects of workplace operations, ensuring your entitlement to fair wages and personal safety.

These legal rights don’t mean that injustice and other egregious errors or accidents don’t happen. One study found that over a five-year period, over 7,600 incidents of workplace violence occurred in Los Angeles County.

In the Los Angeles metropolitan area, part-time workers are more likely than full-time workers, specifically between two to three times more likely, to suffer violations of their minimum wage rights. During a study period between 2014 and 2023, an estimated average of between 1.6-2.5 billion dollars of worker wages were lost each year in the Los Angeles area.

For help with health and safety concerns at your job, including workplace violence and prevention, the local Los Angeles Cal/OSHA office is at 320 West 4th Street, Suite 820. If you’ve experienced wage and hour violations, the local Labor Commissioner’s Office is at the same address, Suite 450.

If necessary, there are also workers’ compensation resources available beyond those that your job offers if you’ve suffered a work-related illness or injury. There are additional worker organizations, unions, and legal aid groups that may also be of assistance. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified employee law attorney if you want to know more about taking legal action. They can help you understand the extent of your rights as a worker in California.

FAQs:

Q: What Are the Rights of Employees in Los Angeles?

A: In the California city of Los Angeles, employee rights are favorable. For the vast majority of workers, these include:

• Minimum wage, timely pay, and pay stubs
• Minimum paid family and sick leave
• Sufficient rest and meal breaks
• Ability to whistleblow without fear of punishment or losing your job
• Safe and healthy workplace environment

Q: Do Non-Citizens Have Employee Rights in California?

A: Yes, in California, even undocumented workers or non-citizens have the same rights as workers who are U.S. citizens. It is unlawful for any employer to threaten a worker because of their immigration status. Additionally, state agencies can’t ask about your immigration or citizen status if you choose to contact them to report an issue. Labor laws protect you whether or not you are legally in the country, so don’t hesitate to take the steps to advocate for and protect yourself.

Q: What Should I Do If I Have Lost Wages in CA?

A: If you believe you’ve been illegally underpaid, it could be due to being misclassified as an independent contractor, a common cause of wage violations in California. It’s a good idea to personally keep track of your pay, breaks, and work hours to verify your payment stubs are accurate. If you have been inadequately paid for your work, you have the right to speak up to your employer or file an official complaint.

Q: What’s Considered Wrongful Termination in California?

A: In California employment law, wrongful termination refers to the unlawful act of an employer firing a worker based on prohibited reasons, often tied to workplace retaliation or workplace discrimination. While employers reserve the right to fire a worker at any time at their discretion, labor laws expressly protect employees from being terminated due to reasons that violate their rights. For example, workers cannot be fired for whistleblowing, asking for sick leave, or being harassed in the workplace, as any form of workplace harassment is strictly prohibited under California labor law.

Q: What Constitutes Workplace Harassment or Violence?

A: In the state of California, workplace violence can take many forms and is defined as the act or threat of violence directed towards individuals working or at work. The violence may range from purely verbal to threatened or actualized physical assault. This means workplace violence is any act or threat of physical harm, intimidation, harassment, or other disruptive behavior within a job environment.

We’ll Fight for Your Los Angeles Employee Rights

Our team at the Law Offices of Reisner & King LLP is ready to fight on your behalf. Reach out to us today to ensure your rights as a California worker are safeguarded. We can connect you with a skilled employment law attorney to discuss your situation.