Irvine Retaliation Attorney

In addition to federal laws, California has robust employment protections in place to support employees’ rights to fair treatment in the workplace, free from discrimination or hostility. Under California Labor Code § 230, the law also prohibits employers from retaliating against whistleblowers or employees who assert their legal right to fair employment under California law. Unfortunately, employer retaliation comes in many forms, and some employers find unacceptable ways to retaliate, whether their actions are blatant or subtle. 

Call the Orange County workplace retaliation lawyers at Sessions & Kimball to learn more about your rights.

Why Sessions & Kimball Might Be Right for Your Employer Retaliation Case In Irvine

Sessions & Kimball are renowned legal leaders in California’s employment law, dedicated to protecting the rights of all employees. With decades of knowledge, experience, and resources on your side, you’ll find the following advantages with Sessions & Kimball:

  • The dedicated attention of an attorney devoted to your case, along with the collaborative efforts of an entire law firm and staff on your side
  • With frequent listings in Best Lawyers and recognition as Superlawyers and Rising Stars by prestigious legal publications, Sessions & Kimball puts a powerful voice behind your claim
  • A history of exceptional results gives clients confidence in the representation they can expect in their claims

Sessions & Kimball offers a free case evaluation and contingency-based payment, so you only pay for legal services after you’ve recovered compensation for your losses.

What Is Employer Retaliation In California?

California employees have the right to engage in protected activities, such as filing workplace discrimination lawsuits, sexual harassment claims, wage and hour violations, and reporting or refusing to participate in unlawful activities. The law also protects employees from an employer’s retaliation when they assert their legal rights. Common employer retaliation methods include the following:

  • Wrongful termination
  • Demotion
  • Cutting hours or reducing pay
  • Creating a hostile work environment
  • Refusing access to meetings
  • Exclusion from education and advancement opportunities given to other employees in similar positions
  • Unwarranted negative performance reviews or demerits
  • Forced time off
  • Increased workload

Any employer behavior intended to punish an employee for their protected activities or meant to create a hostile work environment to force an employee to quit their position is illegal employer retaliation.

What to Do If an Employer Imposes Penalties In Retaliation for Your Protected Actions

If you’ve engaged in a protected activity in the workplace or asserted your legal rights, you have a right to continue in your position without your employer retaliating against you. If you’ve been subjected to employer retaliation in Irvine or the surrounding area, it’s beneficial to first report the retaliatory behavior to your company’s HR department. If the matter isn’t corrected by reporting the behavior to HR, it’s crucial to document evidence by doing the following:

  • Keeping copies of all written and electronic communications between you, your employer, and your HR department
  • Document and date all verbal exchanges related to your original actions and the retaliatory measures
  • Obtain copies of your employee reviews from before and after your original protected action and the employer’s retaliation
  • Make a list of eyewitnesses
  • Hire a California employment lawyer in Irvine with experience in workplace retaliation cases 

It’s essential to carefully record the dates of any employer measures you perceive as retaliatory. An important aspect of a successful claim or lawsuit against an employer is showing the close proximity of the employer’s negative actions against you to their knowledge of your protected activity.

Call Sessions & Kimball Employee Rights Attorneys

Taking on a case against an employer can feel overwhelming, particularly when it’s a secondary case after engaging in a protected activity such as reporting a wage and hour violation or harassment. Fortunately, you are not alone. Call our legal team at Sessions & Kimball for the skilled legal representation you need to accomplish your goals and/or recover compensation through a settlement from your employer.