Rocklin Employment Lawyer

Rocklin Employment Attorney

Employment law can be complex, and making sure all your business practices are compliant can be difficult. Even good intentions can result in severe penalties if you violate the law. Ensuring your business’s compliance with employment law and using the law to your advantage is a core component of an employment lawyer’s role. If you are looking to install new processes or evaluate your current ones, a Rocklin employment lawyer can explore the ideal ways of doing so.

Employment law regulations can impact every part of the legal relationship between employees and employers. These laws impact the hiring process, daily operations, and even termination. Following all applicable laws can be challenging if you do not thoroughly understand these laws and how to apply them to your business.

Skilled Employment Law Support in Rocklin, CA

Peterson Watts Law Group, LLP, takes a preventive approach to employment law by emphasizing risk management and avoiding potential issues whenever possible. Our skilled team can help you protect your business by implementing legally compliant processes and contracts, which can prevent damaging issues from arising. While working with your business, we can avoid costly disputes. If that fails, we can support you through litigation.

With more than 70 years of collective legal experience, the Peterson Watts Law Group, LLP, can show you how to protect yourself and your Rocklin, CA, business.

What Is Employment Law?

Employment law is the complete body of regulations, laws, and legal precedents that govern the relationship between employers and their employees. These laws are implemented at both the federal and state levels, but federal and state laws can have different parameters and apply in different ways. In many instances, California employment law offers more protections for employees, so understanding the similarities and differences is crucial.

Employment law encompasses a wide range of topics, as it addresses all aspects related to the relationship between employers and employees. Some of the laws that impact California employers include:

• Minimum wage: California has established a higher minimum wage than federally required, and some cities have a minimum wage higher than required by California’s state law. Some industries also have specific minimum wage rates. Failure to pay the minimum wage is considered wage theft.
• Meal and rest breaks: Employees must be provided with an unpaid meal break as well as shorter paid breaks, depending on the number of hours they work each day. Employees who work outside may take additional rest breaks in shaded areas to cool down in hot weather.
• Discrimination and harassment: The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and related regulations prohibit discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics in the workplace. In 2022, more than 3,000 employment complaints based on discrimination were submitted to the California Civil Rights Department.
• Workplace health and safety: The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), through the Cal/OSHA program, protects the safety and health of non-federal workers. Employers are required to create warnings for potential hazards, provide and maintain safe equipment, establish an injury and illness prevention program, and report any serious work-related injuries, illnesses, or deaths to Cal/OSHA.
• Family and medical leave: If eligible, employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for situations like caring for their own or a family member’s serious health condition. They are also entitled to up to five days of bereavement leave. These rights are enforced by the Civil Rights Department and provided by the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).

Understanding how these laws and regulations impact your business is crucial for protecting yourself from claims brought by employees. When you hire an employment lawyer, they can help you establish legally compliant policies and documents.

Common Employment Law Disputes

Any violation of employment laws or failure to meet your duties as an employer can result in a difficult legal situation, but some common issues that result in legal disputes include:

• Accusations of wrongful termination
• Unpaid work
• Workplace discrimination
• Violations of workplace safety
• Sexual harassment
• Retaliation following a report

Though an employment law attorney can represent you if any of these disputes arise, it is recommended that you be proactive instead of reactive in your legal strategy.

Why Hire an Employment Lawyer With Peterson Watts Law Group, LLP?

When you are developing legally compliant processes or facing an employment law violation claim, it is crucial that you seek the right legal team. Peterson Watts Law Group, LLP, is that team because of our:

• With over seven decades of combined legal experience, there are few employment law situations we have not yet encountered. This immense experience means we can predict and prevent issues. We can also quickly create a strong legal defense if issues do arise.
• We have developed strong relationships with and earned the respect of local judges and attorneys, as well as our clients. You can rest assured that our team can treat you and your business with the respect you are owed.
• Our community is important to our law firm. We can see your case through, from beginning to end.

Whether you are a major employer, like Sierra Joint Community College District in Rocklin, CA, or maintain a small staff, employment law support from Peterson Watts Law Group, LLP, can be invaluable.

FAQs

Q: How Much Do Employment Lawyers Charge in California?

A: The amount that employment lawyers charge in California is variable and dependent on several factors. These can include the following:

• Type of services you need from the attorney
• Difficulty of those services
• Number of hours the attorney will need to commit

A local attorney can explain the cost of the services you need.

Q: What Happens If I Violate Employment Law in California?

A: What could happen following an employment law violation in California depends on the type and severity of the violation. You could:

• Be subject to investigations by state agencies.
• Face an employment law claim from employees.
• Incur substantial financial liabilities.
• Experience serious damage to your reputation.

If you violate employment law, it is crucial to speak with a Rocklin employment attorney to protect yourself and prevent future violations.

Q: How Can I Tell If My Business Is Compliant With All California Employment Laws?

A: The most effective way to determine if your business is compliant with all California employment laws is to speak with a local employment law attorney. They can determine which laws are applicable to you, examine your processes and documents, and then offer insight and recommendations to show you how to be compliant with those regulations.

Q: How Can an Employment Law Attorney Help Me as a Business Owner?

A: Employment law attorneys can be a highly valuable asset to business owners. They can support you with drafting employment manuals, creating employment agreements, and properly classifying employees. They can also fight claims brought against your company through processes like alternative dispute resolution and litigation if your case progresses to that stage.

Employment Law Support

If you are one of the 2,788 businesses registered in Rocklin, then you are likely to benefit from hiring an employment attorney. Peterson Watts Law Group, LLP, can guide and represent you. Reach out to our office for a consultation.