Illegal Working Conditions

Everything California Employees Must Know About Illegal Working Conditions (and How Our Lawyers Can Help)

Employers often make employees work under illegal conditions. Have you been forced to work without being paid at least minimum wage? Do you work in extreme heat or other conditions that compromise your health, without necessary breaks or safety equipment? Have you faced pressure not to organize with other employees, or been subject to harassment or discrimination?

California has extensive legal protections for employees. Because of these protections, many working conditions can qualify as illegal. If you feel you’ve been treated to unfair, unhealthy, distressing, and potentially illegal conditions at work, call the lawyers at ARCH Legal PC today at (866) 331-1338 or contact us by email. We are knowledgeable and passionate leaders in California’s employment law field, so don’t wait to speak with us.

Workplace Conditions That Are Illegal in California

Time has shown that employers, by and large, cannot be trusted to create safe, harassment-free workplaces in which employees are treated humanely and compensated fairly. That’s why California and federal statutes impose strict guidelines meant to prevent:

Dangerous Workplaces

Rules established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and various other state and federal statutes require employers to:

• Provide employees with all necessary safety equipment
• Give employees health-related breaks, especially when working in heat or other hazardous conditions
• Refer employees for medical attention when they request it or when their appearance or behavior indicates they need it
• Promote a safety-first culture in the workplace at all times

If you feel that your employer has endangered your physical health in any way, including through withholding breaks, the ARCH Legal PC team wants to hear from you.

Workplaces Plagued by Harassment, Discrimination, and Other Mistreatment

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and many other statutory protections make it illegal for employers and prospective employers to:

• Discriminate in hiring, promotion, or termination decisions
• Exclude or speak inappropriately to employees based on their personal characteristics
• Speak to, proposition, or physically contact employees in a sexually inappropriate manner
• Intimidate, threaten, or retaliate against employees
• Engage in any other behavior that makes employees feel distressed, discomforted, or unsafe

If your employer or a prospective employer crossed the lines of decency, personal space, or ethical conduct, they may have engaged in illegal behavior.

Workplaces in Which Employees Are Not Free to Associate, Organize, or Report Wrongdoing Without Retaliation

California allows employees to organize with other employees, discuss work conditions with fellow employees, organize politically, report illegal or unsafe conditions, and engage in various other activities.

If an employer discourages such activities, threatens employees, or retaliates against employees, they violate state statutes and create illegal working conditions.

Workplaces in Which Employees Are Not Fairly Compensated

Several state statutes dictate:

• The minimum amount of compensation employees are entitled to
• The type and number of breaks employees are entitled to
• When employees are entitled to overtime pay, and how much compensation they are entitled to for overtime work
• When employees are entitled to compensation for business-related expenses

If your employer violates these or any other wage-related statutes, they create illegal working conditions.

Harm You Might Suffer While or After Working in Illegal Conditions

Before we can determine the harm you’ve suffered due to illegal working conditions, we need to know exactly what conditions you’ve been subjected to. This is why we encourage you to call the ARCH Legal PC team as soon as possible.

Some types of harm that can result from illegal working conditions are:

• Medical expenses, which may result from an employer’s failure to grant breaks, failure to provide safety equipment, imposition of inhumane demands, or other failures
• Pain and suffering, which may affect those who are exposed to harassment, forced to work without fair compensation, deprived of breaks and time off, or subject to harassment, intimidation, discrimination, or other types of mistreatment
• Lost income, which can happen when an employee misses work due to illness or injury, is not paid the compensation they are due, is discriminated against in hiring, promotions, or termination, or suffers financial harm due to other illegal working conditions

Employees might also be entitled to premium pay when employers do not honor mandatory breaks or engage in certain other illegal violations of workers’ rights. This is just a snapshot of the many economic and non-economic damages that employers can cause. We will conduct an in-depth accounting of your damages so we can construct a tailor-made case for you.

ARCH Legal PC: Proven, Creative Advocates for California’s Employees

If you have even an inkling that an employer or prospective employer exposed you to illegal working or interview conditions, you should hire ARCH Legal PC because:

• We are dynamic attorneys focused intently on employment law: You deserve an attorney whose focus is on employment law and employment law alone. We have a healthy respect for how complicated employment cases are and how unique each case is. This is our legal territory, so you can trust our experience and knowledge of employment law.
• Our firm has netted more than $300 million for clients: Financial results are paramount in employment cases—it’s the whole reason why you’ll hire us. It should be a comfort, then, to know that ARCH Legal PC has recovered more than $300 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
• Our impeccable reputation precedes us: Our firm and attorneys are known for their professionalism, nuanced understanding of employment laws, and no-nonsense approach to negotiations and trials. With ARCH Legal PC on your side, your illegal working conditions case will be taken seriously.

Our impeccable reputation precedes us: Our firm and attorneys are known for their professionalism, nuanced understanding of employment laws, and no-nonsense approach to negotiations and trials. With ARCH Legal PC on your side, your illegal working conditions case will be taken seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions On Illegal Working Conditions

In California, protections exist for workers who face illegal working conditions, helping ensure their rights are upheld in the workplace. However, these situations can be complex, so consulting with an employment law attorney is crucial. We can provide guidance and support, starting with answers to three common questions we hear:

Are There Protections for California Workers Who Report Illegal Working Conditions?

Yes, California law protects workers who report illegal working conditions. Under state and federal laws, it is illegal for employers to retaliate against whistleblowers who report violations of workplace rights or unsafe working conditions.

These protections extend to various situations, including reporting wage theft, discrimination, harassment, or physically dangerous working conditions. A California employment law attorney from our team will help you understand these protections.

Can An Undocumented Worker Report Illegal Working Conditions in California?

Yes, undocumented workers have rights in the workplace, including the right to report illegal working conditions without fear of deportation or other immigration-related consequences. California law prohibits employers from discriminating against workers based on their immigration status when they report violations.

However, navigating the legal system as an undocumented worker can be daunting. Working with an employment law attorney can help provide additional protection.

How Do I Know if My Rights Are Being Violated at Work?

Recognizing when your rights have been violated at work can be challenging, especially if you are unfamiliar with employment laws.

If you suspect your rights may have been violated, seek the help of an employment law attorney to help clarify your situation. Our attorneys can assess your case, explain your rights, and advise you on the best action to protect yourself and seek redress.

Call ARCH Legal PC Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation with a California Employment Law Attorney

The ARCH Legal PC team will be responsible for every detail of your case. We will quickly secure evidence proving you were subjected to illegal conditions, document the harm those illegal conditions have caused you, compose our financial demands, and fight for all the compensation you deserve.

Call ARCH Legal PC today at (866) 331-1338 or contact us by email. We want to hear about what you’ve been through and then lay out the plan for getting justice.