Compton

Located south of downtown Los Angeles, Compton, known as the “Hub City,” is a city with a population of 95,740 as of 2020. It is the birthplace of many influential sports and music figures such as Serena and Venius Williams and rappers Dr. Dre, N.W.A., and Kendrick Lamar. One of its famous streets is Rosecrans Avenue. As in other places, Compton businesses sometimes misstep or knowingly commit legal violations against their employers. If you are struggling with an employer over wage and hour, employment discrimination or whistleblower matters, it’s imperative to contact the experienced Compton employment law attorneys of Calderone Law Firm.

Employers in Compton are bound by an array of laws that protect and structure the employer-employee relationship. California wage and hour laws cover things like minimum wage, overtime, uniforms, and meal and rest breaks. As of this writing, with exceptions for healthcare workers and fast food employees, the minimum wage is $16.50 in the city. Overtime is paid at time and a half for all of a nonexempt employee’s hours worked over 8 in a day or 40 in a week. Double time must be paid for hours over 12 in a day or over 8 hours on the seventh day of work in a row. In some cases, an individual employee’s damages would be very small; however, if an employer has treated multiple employees the same way with regard to wage and hour matters, it can be appropriate to bring a class action lawsuit. 

There are federal laws that prohibit workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. However, you are likely to find greater protection against discriminatory conduct or harassment in the workplace under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). For instance, sexual harassment is prohibited in workplaces that have any number of employees—including just one—whereas federal law only applies to midsize and large employers. FEHA also protects a much wider array of personal traits than federal laws do. Wrongful termination can occur in the context of FEHA when an employer severely retaliates or fires an employee that reports discrimination or harassment or an employer’s failure to grant leave that’s mandated under the law; testifies or assists in any FEHA proceeding; or asks for workplace accommodations for religious beliefs and disability. For example, if you have preeclampsia and need to work from home and your employer terminates you for asking for that accommodation, you may have grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit.

You are protected as a whistleblower under the broad California Labor Code 1102.5. This law forbids your employer from retaliating against you for disclosing what you reasonably think is a legal violation or noncompliance with the law. Additionally, you are protected against your employer’s retaliation if you testify or give information about the employer’s acts to a public body that is looking into violations of the law. You may have a claim under this law, for instance, if you report your healthcare employer for filing false claims with Medi-cal. The California False Claims Act (Government Code 12650)may also apply. California False Claims Act, the federal False Claims Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act, and Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. It’s important for you to know that you can seek protection under these laws even if it turns out your employer didn’t actually commit an illegal act, but you held a reasonable belief that it had.

If you need to sue an employer in Compton, call Calderone Law Firm. Vincent Calderone, the founder of the Calderone Law Firm, has more than two decades of experience effectively litigating employment lawsuits. Your employer will likely have knowledgeable attorneys on its side, and you should be able to fight the company on a level playing field with a seasoned and tenacious attorney of your own. Please contact us online or call us at (424) 348-8290.