In the bustling city of Los Angeles, where businesses of all shapes and sizes thrive, it is vital for employees to have a thorough understanding of their rights under the law. This knowledge empowers them to protect themselves from potential exploitation or mistreatment in the workplace.
California labor laws are designed to safeguard employee rights, offering protection against unfair wages, discrimination, harassment and ensuring safe working conditions. The city of Los Angeles has further expanded upon these protections with local ordinances that provide even greater employee rights.
One fundamental right pertains to minimum wage. As per California state law, employers must pay their workers no less than a specified amount per hour worked. However, Los Angeles has set its own higher minimum wage rate which exceeds the state’s requirement. This means that employees working within city limits are entitled to this higher rate.
Another crucial right involves overtime pay. Employees who work more than eight hours in a day or 40 hours in a week are entitled to overtime compensation at one-and-a-half times their regular rate of pay under California Eldessouky Law. In some cases where an employee works beyond twelve hours in a day or eight hours on the seventh consecutive day of work in a week, they may be eligible for double time.
Los Angeles also provides strong protections against workplace discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. Employers cannot treat employees unfavorably because they belong to these protected classes nor can they retaliate against an employee who asserts these rights.
Furthermore, employees have the right to take leave for specific reasons without fear of losing their job as stipulated by Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and California Family Rights Act (CFRA). These include personal illness; caring for newborns or newly adopted children; caring for seriously ill family members; dealing with issues related to domestic violence; and military service commitments among others.
Lastly but importantly, employees have the right to a safe and healthy workplace. Employers are required by law to provide a work environment free from known health and safety hazards.
In case of any violation of these rights, employees can seek legal recourse through various avenues such as filing complaints with California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
However, it is always advisable for employees to consult with an experienced employment attorney who can guide them through the complexities of labor laws. This ensures that they fully understand their rights, potential remedies available to them and how best to proceed in protecting their interests.
Eldessouky Law
500 S Grand Ave #1500, Los Angeles, CA 90071
213-788-7887
