Long Beach Employment Lawyer

Long Beach Employment Law Attorney

Are you facing unfair treatment or legal issues at work? Don’t navigate this challenging situation alone. At Briana Kim, PC, a dedicated Long Beach employment lawyer is here to protect your rights and advocate for you.

California’s employment laws are designed to safeguard workers, but knowing your rights is crucial. Our experienced team focuses on employment litigation, representing employees exclusively in disputes with their employers.

Whether you’re dealing with wrongful termination, wage disputes, or denied benefits, we’re committed to fighting for your rights and ensuring you receive the justice you deserve.

Get the Support You Need!

Briana Kim, PC, serves employees in Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lakewood, Carson, and surrounding communities, ensuring residents all across Southern California have access to the legal support they need.

Contact us today for a consultation and take the first step toward resolving your employment law case.

The Importance of Hiring a Long Beach Employment Lawyer

Workers in Long Beach and surrounding areas show up to their jobs with the expectation that their work environment will be fair and safe, enabling them to carry out their duties effectively. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Employees in Long Beach may face various forms of mistreatment at work, including illegal practices, discrimination, and retaliation.

Our Long Beach employment lawyers are here to help employees understand and protect their rights under California employment laws. We represent workers in a wide range of disputes and ensure they’re treated fairly. California state and federal employment laws are in place to protect workers. However, they are not always straightforward to understand.

A knowledgeable employment lawyer can be crucial for yielding positive case outcomes. At Briana Kim, PC, our dedicated law firm advocates for employees in Long Beach and beyond who deal with workplace issues like unpaid wages or overtime, sexual harassment, FMLA/CFRA leave of absences, pregnancy discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination.

Our Firm

Our Long Beach employment law firm strongly believes in empowering workers to protect and exercise their rights, ultimately holding employers accountable for unlawful behavior. Whether you require support negotiating a severance package (or increasing an offered severance amount) or are being denied adequate payment for overtime work or need a consultation regarding your leave rights when you have welcomed a newborn, our firm is here to support your case.

At Briana Kim, PC, we focus on employment law and are dedicated to advocating for workers’ rights in Long Beach and beyond. We advocate for employees navigating California’s complex employment laws.

Our dedicated team is here to empower you and hold employers accountable for their actions. Whether you need help negotiating a severance package, addressing unpaid overtime, or understanding your leave rights after welcoming a newborn, we’re ready to support you. Contact us today for a consultation and stand up for your rights!

What an Employment Lawyer from Briana Kim, PC Can Do for You

At Briana Kim, PC, we are committed to providing compassionate, dedicated, and professional legal representation for employees in Long Beach and the surrounding areas. With years of experience, our firm understands the emotional and professional toll that employment disputes can take. If you’re facing wrongful conditions in the workplace, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Here’s how we can assist you:

1. Initial Consultation
   During your initial consultation, we will take the time to listen to your concerns and review the specifics of your case. We understand that every situation is unique, and we’ll thoroughly evaluate your circumstances.Our goal is to provide you with clear, honest feedback about your legal options, helping you understand the potential avenues available for resolution. Whether you’re dealing with wrongful termination, harassment, or another employment issue, we’ll ensure that your story is heard and your rights are protected.
2. Case Building
   If you decide to move forward with your case, we’ll conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the facts. This may involve reviewing your employment records, gathering relevant documentation (emails, texts, voice recordings, etc.), and interviewing witnesses.We work closely with you to gather all the evidence needed to build a strong case. Based on this information, we will develop a legal strategy tailored to your goals, maximizing your chances for a successful outcome.
3. Litigation and Negotiation
   While many employment disputes can be resolved through pre-litigation negotiation or private mediation, we are prepared to bring your case before a jury or arbitrator if necessary. If your employer refuses to settle or cooperate, we’ll represent you vigorously, fighting for your rights and seeking the justice you deserve.

Employment disputes are often emotionally and financially draining. At Briana Kim, PC, we’re here to ease your burden, working tirelessly to resolve your legal challenges and protect your future.

Employment Law Challenges: Briana Kim, PC Can Help You Navigate

Briana Kim, PC, has vast experience helping workers navigate a variety of workplace issues. Briana has a strong track record of advocating for workers’ rights, helping them achieve optimal outcomes aligned with their case goals and details. If you are dealing with one or more of the following challenges, you can count on our law firm to help support your case.

Wrongful Termination

California is an “at-will” state, meaning that most workers can be terminated for no reason at any time. This also means that employees can leave their employment contract with their employer whenever they need to, without providing an adequate reason. Although at-will employment laws were originally enacted to protect workers, they can sometimes do more harm than good when applied discriminatorily.

Even with at-will employment laws, there are still multiple reasons for firing someone that can be illegal. If you have been fired for the following reasons, you might consider looking into pursuing a wrongful termination case:

• Retaliation after reporting illegal behavior or filing a workplace-related complaint of discrimination or harassment
• Termination for refusing to take part in illegal activities, opposing discrimination or harassment, or retaliation
• Being fired for exercising your rights under the law, such as seeking information on your disability or FMLA or CFRA leave rights, asking for reasonable accommodations, or taking maternity or paternity leave
• A pattern of discrimination in the workplace based on protected factors, such as race, national origin, religion, disability/medical condition, age, sex, gender, or sexual orientation, that also included your termination

If you think you may have a case for wrongful termination, it is crucial to work with experienced legal counsel as soon as possible. They can help you collect critical evidence to support your side of the story and help you build up your case. Briana Kim, PC, is a skilled Long Beach employment law firm that can help you get justice.

Workplace Discrimination

Under both California and federal law, workplace discrimination based on protected characteristics such as race, sex, disability, religion, age, and more is strictly prohibited. Discriminatory practices can take many forms, including:

• Unequal pay for equal work.
• Denial of promotion or employment opportunities based on protected characteristics.
• Harassment or unjust disciplinary actions.
• Retaliation for requesting accommodations or reporting discrimination.

If you have experienced workplace discrimination, you do not have to face it alone. Our skilled employment lawyers will help you navigate the claims process, ensuring that your employer is held accountable for their actions and that your workplace remains safe and fair.

Workplace Retaliation

If employees are facing discriminatory or harassing treatment in the workplace or note that illegal practices are happening at work (e.g. not being paid properly or timely at work for all hours worked), they have the right to report this to (a) employees of the employer who have the authority to investigate or correct legal violations/noncompliance or (b) local/state/federal government authorities.

However, some employers choose to retaliate against workers who exercise this fundamental right. Forms of retaliation can include unjustified write-ups, PIPs, or disciplinary action; reduction of work hours; lower wages; reassignment of former job duties; wrongful termination; demotion; or encouraging incidents of harassment that ultimately lead to a hostile work environment.

Examples of Retaliation

Employers in Long Beach may commonly retaliate against their workers after the following occurs:

• A worker asks about taking time off or working remotely after being injured on the job.
• An employee requests to take medical or family leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or California Family Rights Act (CFRA).
• An employee requests to take baby bonding or paternity leave.
• An employee reports illegal activity happening in the workplace.
• A worker opposes or reports workplace discrimination or workplace harassment.

If you have exercised your rights in the workplace as an employee and faced retaliation, it is critical to work with a skilled employment lawyer who can ensure your employer is held accountable for their wrongful behavior. A compassionate Long Beach employment lawyer from Briana Kim, PC, is here to discuss your case with you and implement a strong legal strategy to fight for justice.

Wage and Hour Disputes

California law provides strong protections for workers regarding wages, overtime, and breaks. However, wage and hour violations are unfortunately common. If you’ve experienced any of the following issues, you may have grounds for a claim:

• Unpaid Wages: Employers refusing to pay for hours worked, including overtime.
• Failure to Pay Minimum Wage: Not paying employees at least the state or local minimum wage.
• Missed Meal and Rest Breaks: Employers failing to provide required meal or rest breaks.
• Misclassification: Improperly classifying employees as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits or overtime.
• Prevailing Wage Violations: Failure to pay required wages on government-funded construction projects.
• Overtime Disputes: Disagreements over overtime eligibility, calculation methods, or employer policies that violate state or federal overtime laws.

At Briana Kim, PC, we’re here to help ensure that you’re paid fairly for all the hours you work, and we’ll fight to recover any wages owed to you.

Employee Misclassification

In Long Beach and surrounding areas, some employers may misclassify workers to avoid paying them the proper wages, benefits, and protections they deserve. One common tactic is incorrectly classifying employees as independent contractors when, in fact, they should be classified as employees. Additionally, employers may label workers as “salaried” to try to avoid paying them overtime. If you’ve been misclassified, you could lose out on important rights, including:

• Overtime pay
• Meal and rest breaks
• Workers’ compensation benefits
• Health and retirement benefits

Misclassification not only deprives you of compensation but also leaves you vulnerable in other areas of your employment. Briana Kim, PC, can help you determine if you’ve been misclassified and take action to recover any lost wages and benefits. We’ll work closely with you to ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to and help you regain the rights that were wrongfully withheld.

Sexual Harassment

Under both California and federal law, sexual harassment in the workplace is strictly prohibited. It is not only unlawful but also damaging, as it can severely affect an employee’s mental, emotional, and financial well-being. Sexual harassment can take many forms, but the most common include:

• Unwanted sexual advances or conduct
• Sexual comments, jokes, or gestures
• A series of behaviors that create a hostile work environment

There are two primary types of sexual harassment:

1. Hostile Work Environment
   A hostile work environment occurs when unwelcome sexual behavior, such as physical contact, lewd comments, or suggestive jokes, creates an intimidating, offensive, or abusive atmosphere at work. Harassment can be perpetrated by coworkers, supervisors, managers, clients, or even employers.
2. Quid Pro Quo Harassment
   Quid pro quo (Latin for “this for that”) harassment happens when an individual in a position of power at work requests sexual favors in exchange for a benefit, such as continued employment, a promotion, or a raise. This is illegal and can have serious consequences for both the victim and the employer.

Sexual harassment, whether overt or subtle, can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial effects on the victim. If you are experiencing harassment at work, it’s important to take swift action to protect your rights. Briana Kim, PC, is dedicated to helping victims of sexual harassment hold offenders accountable, seek justice, and recover the compensation they are owed.

Family and Medical Leave Issues

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), eligible employees have the right to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons. These laws are designed to protect workers who need time off to address important life events, such as:

• Caring for a newborn or newly adopted child
• Recovering from a serious health condition
• Providing care for a close family member with a severe health condition

Unfortunately, some employers may refuse to grant this leave or retaliate against employees who request or exercise their rights under these laws. If you’ve been denied your rightful leave or faced retaliation for asking about or taking FMLA or CFRA leave, it’s crucial to act quickly to protect your rights.

At Briana Kim, PC, we are committed to helping you understand whether your employer has unlawfully denied you leave and to holding them accountable for their actions. Our skilled and compassionate employment lawyers can guide you through the process of pursuing legal action and ensure that you receive the benefits and protections you’re entitled to under the law.

PAGA Claims

The Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) is a California law that allows employees to pursue legal action when labor laws are violated. Under PAGA, you don’t just pursue your own claim; you can also help recover penalties for other employees affected by the same violations. This means workers can hold their employers accountable for unpaid wages, missed breaks, and overtime errors, even when state agencies can’t pursue every case.

PAGA claims can get complicated, with specific notice requirements, deadlines, and penalty calculations. At Briana Kim, PC, our Long Beach employment attorneys have handled many PAGA cases, and our goal is to ensure you and your coworkers receive the recovery you deserve.

Severance Agreements

Severance agreements can be confusing, and signing one without fully understanding your rights could cost you significant benefits. Whether it’s the amount of pay, continuation of benefits, or other terms, it’s important to know exactly what you’re agreeing to and what you might be giving up.

At Briana Kim, PC, our Long Beach employment attorneys help employees carefully review severance agreements and negotiate terms that aren’t only fair but also protect their interests. We guide you through the process, explain your options, and make sure you fully understand any legal implications before you sign. Our goal is to help you secure the most favorable outcome while protecting your rights under California employment laws.

The Step-by-Step Process of an Employment Case

Every employment case is unique, but most follow a similar path from start to finish. Understanding what to expect can make the process less stressful while helping you feel more confident when protecting your rights. That path includes:

1. A comprehensive consultation with our team where we learn about your employment issue, evaluate the facts, and determine your legal options.
2. We then file the necessary complaints or wage claims with the appropriate court or administrative agency.
3. We gather evidence, interview witnesses, and request documents to build a strong case for negotiation or trial.
4. Many employment cases are resolved through settlement, but we’re fully prepared to litigate before the court, including the Los Angeles County Superior Court and nearby federal courts, to ensure your rights are protected.

Navigating employment disputes doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Briana Kim, PC, our Long Beach employment attorneys guide you through every step so that your case is handled with the care and respect it deserves.

Damages and Remedies

Employees could be entitled to more than just compensation for lost wages. Understanding the full range of damages and remedies available can help you make informed decisions about your case, and some of the damages and remedies you could be entitled to include:

• Back pay, which is compensation for lost wages caused by wrongful termination or unpaid work
• Front pay, which is compensation for future earnings you’ll lose out on because of unlawful employment actions
• Emotional distress, which is compensation for the psychological impact of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation
• Punitive damages, which are additional damages designed to punish egregious employer conduct
• Attorneys’ fees

Briana Kim, PC, our Long Beach employment attorneys work tirelessly to secure the full range of remedies available under the law, helping you recover what you’re owed while holding your employer accountable.

Fight for Your Employment Rights with a Dedicated Attorney From Briana Kim, PC

If your employer is denying you your legal rights or retaliating against you, it is essential to stand up for yourself. Protecting your rights is not only about seeking compensation, but also about ensuring fair and just working conditions for yourself and your colleagues. At Briana Kim, PC, we’re here to help you navigate the legal complexities of employment law and fight for the compensation and protections you deserve.

Whether you’re facing family and medical leave issues, wrongful termination, discrimination, or any other employment law challenge, we’ll work closely with you to understand the details of your case and advocate for your rights. Together, we can fight for better, more equitable working conditions in Long Beach and beyond. Contact us today to get started.