In an at-will employment state such as California, not everyone is aware of their rights as employees. Unfortunately, there are some situations that may arise that can threaten the rights of workers all throughout the nation.
National pandemics, natural disasters, states of emergency, and more can cut into a business, and it can often threaten employment statuses completely. Unfortunately, this leaves individuals wondering about their rights should problems force businesses to shut down completely.
If you are an employee in Los Angeles, you should recognize your rights when something so serious comes along. It’s vital to speak with a lawyer if you find yourself out of a job and are unsure if you are protected, especially during such a difficult time. Below, we’ll discuss your rights moving forward.
If you feel your rights have been violated, our team encourages you to contact us at (213) 232-4848.
A Focus on Health and Safety
In any workplace, there should be a high priority set for health and safety should individuals continue to work during a difficult time. Whether the situation involves illness, earthquakes, or other problems, it’s vital for employers to ensure there is an emphasis on employees and their well-being. This means taking certain steps to protect them, including the following:
- Providing safety equipment when necessary: If there is a disaster that makes for potentially unsafe working environments, workers must be provided with proper equipment to ensure they are safe whenever they are exposed to potential hazards.
- Taking preventative measures to prevent further problems: In a situation that may involve a national pandemic and individuals are enduring sicknesses, it’s vital for employers to ensure they’re taking all preventative measures to avoid contamination.
One potential issue that can arise is workers being forced to work under certain conditions that pose a potential threat to their health and safety. In this situation, it’s important to know what rights you have that can show your employer is negligent in making you work in difficult or unsafe conditions. This is especially true if you sustain a significant injury or illness.
In a situation where your employer willfully exposes you to danger, you need to be sure you are speaking with a lawyer who can help you understand your rights and options. It’s crucial to recognize whether or not your employer is negligent.
Issues Involving Job Loss and More
While natural disasters, pandemics, and other issues are difficult enough to deal with on their own, there are some situations that may impact your employment. For instance, if a national pandemic threatens a business’ ability to earn money, they may start to cut into the budget, releasing employees to save on money.
Because California is an at-will state, it’s important to know that this can be a valid reason to terminate employment. There may be some other issues, however, that can impact whether or not you have a claim. Unfortunately, there may be some underlying issues that you may need to recognize that could help you protect your rights should the lay off be unwarranted.
If you have a medical condition you suffered because of the pandemic, you may be protected under certain areas of the law that prevent discrimination due to a medical condition. If you get injured because of the problem and are laid off because of your injuries, you may also have rights against your employer in this situation.
Finding Underlying Issues
Unfortunately, California’s laws can make it difficult for you to recognize your rights as at-will employment often means an employer can fire you for any or no reason at all. As such, when you are let go or terminated, it’s important to recognize if there are any underlying issues that may signify a wrongful termination.
For instance, if you suffer any kind of medical condition and you take a medical leave of absence, your employer may try to terminate you, claiming financial setbacks. Working with a lawyer can help you in this situation as California and federal laws can protect you from being terminated for taking a medical leave of absence.
It’s unfortunate, but many companies and employers may try to use a national emergency as a reason to make cuts. If this is the situation you find yourself in, you need to make sure you’re speaking with a legal professional who can help you protect your rights moving forward.
At Levin & Nalbandyan, LLP, we’re committed to providing you with the highest level of legal care to help you through the complex matters. Trust that when you hire our team, you’re getting strong representation with a focus on going above and beyond to safeguard your rights and options.
We’re dedicated to your best interests as an employee and work to go above and beyond to help you understand your rights. We’ll help you recognize where your employer may be negligent, what your legal rights and options are, and how we can help you through the complex matters that lie ahead. We know that this is a difficult situation for you, and we work hard to make sure you feel confident through it all.
During a difficult time in which many businesses are doing whatever they can to save money, the rights of employees are often at significant risk. We stand tall and give you a voice, so your rights are safeguarded from start to finish.
