Ventura Employment Law Attorneys
Employment legal issues touch nearly everybody; whether you work for a company or run a small business yourself, most people are in the position of either employee or employer. As an employee, matters such as discrimination and harassment or wage and hour problems strike at the very heart of your ability to do your job. For employers, these same issues can be extremely costly and even bankrupt a business if not properly addressed.
The employment law attorneys at Rounds & Sutter have a long history of advocating for worker rights while also counseling small business owners on the things they need to know as employers. As issues arise, we can help you address them head-on and find a satisfactory resolution or represent you in court if litigation can’t be avoided. For help with employment law matters in Ventura, Oxnard, and Camarillo, contact Rounds & Sutter LLP for practical advice and zealous representation from a skilled and knowledgeable Southern California employment law attorney.
Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination is a broad umbrella term that can encompass any type of illegal firing. Also known as wrongful discharge, some of the most common sources of wrongful termination include:
- Discrimination based on an employee’s age, race, sex, religion or other characteristics protected under the law
- Violation of a federal or California labor law
- Firing an employee for complaining of unlawful harassment in the workplace
- Terminating an employee for reporting a workplace safety violation or illegal activity at work
- Retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim
- Discharge in breach of an employment contract or company policy
Depending on the circumstances, you could be entitled to a wide range of remedies for wrongful termination, including getting your job back, collecting back pay, or receiving monetary damages for the financial, emotional, or reputational harm you suffered. Punitive damages may be available as well in appropriate cases.
Discrimination/Harassment
A handful of federal laws protect employees from discrimination and harassment based on a large number of protected characteristics, and California laws go even further, protecting more classes of people at a larger number of workplaces. Employers should have a clear policy prohibiting discriminatory practices or harassment and should communicate a process for making complaints to workers. Employees should avail themselves of these policies and complaint procedures whenever necessary. In the event an employer doesn’t follow through with an investigation and take any appropriate action, further steps might be needed, such as filing a formal complaint with the federal EEOC or California DFEH, or filing a lawsuit in state or federal court.
Wage & Hour Issues
Rounds & Sutter helps employers and employees navigate the complicated wage and hour laws of the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act, and others. Our comprehensive wage & hour law practice can assist you in maintaining compliance or resolving disputes in any of the following areas, among others:
- Unpaid Overtime
- Minimum Wage Violations
- Misclassification of Exempt Employees
- Meal and Rest Breaks
- Unpaid Wages
If you are an employee victimized by wage theft, we can help you recover the full amount of unpaid wages going back several years. The law only allows you to reach back so far, though, so contact us as soon as you realize there may be a problem with the way your wages or hours are being calculated.
If you are an employer facing a complaint or are concerned about your company’s payroll practices, we can review your procedures and advise you on any changes you may need to make to achieve or maintain compliance. By dealing with problems as they arise (or preferably before), you can minimize the impact of any negative consequences on your business, your bottom line, and the welfare of your workers.
Contact the Employment Law Attorneys at Rounds & Sutter
If you are a small business owner looking for help with employment law matters that is both affordable and professional, or if you are an employee with concerns about discrimination, harassment, unpaid wages, or wrongful termination, call Rounds & Sutter at 805-650-7100 for a free consultation, serving employers and employees in Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, and surrounding areas in Southern California.