Kern County

Located on the southern end of the Central Valley, Kern County’s population was 909,235 as of the 2020 census. It encompasses the Bakersfield, California Metropolitan statistical area and covers 8,161.42 square miles that extend beyond Frazier Park and to Antelope Valley. The county has a significant agricultural base and is a significant producer of wind power, solar, hydroelectric, oil, biomass, and natural gas. It is home to Department of Defense facilities such as China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station and Edwards Air Force Base. Whether you and your employer have a dispute involving overtime, minimum wage, retaliation, discrimination, harassment, or whistleblowing, call the trustworthy Kern County employment lawyers of Calderone Law Firm. Vincent Calderone, our principal, has years of experience and may be able to represent you.

Employment discrimination is prohibited under federal, state, and local laws. Generally, it occurs when an employer takes an adverse employment action against an employee due to a trait that’s protected under these laws. Traits protected under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) include color, race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, disability, medical condition, national origin, ancestry, military or veteran status, and genetic information, and age over 40. You might have an age discrimination claim, for instance, if you were laid off because you are close to retirement age. Or, if you are not promoted because you are a Middle Eastern Muslim, you might have a claim for national origin, ancestry, and religious discrimination. The state law also protects the right to request leave for family care, pregnancy disability, and retaliation for reporting that a patient is being abused in an institution supported by taxes.

You’re legally entitled to compensation if your employer violated wage and hour laws in Kern County. In California, the minimum wage is currently $16. If you are a nonexempt employee, your employer is required not only pay minimum wage, but also, when you work more than a certain number of hours, overtime, which is paid at time and a half. Wage and hour law also governs rest and meal breaks and job-protected leave. Sometimes employers violate these laws, but the resulting amounts of losses are too small to make them worth the expense and time required to litigate. In such cases, it may be appropriate to pursue damages in a class action lawsuit.

Federal and state laws protect whistleblowers. It can be terrifying to report your employer for wrongdoing or illegal conduct, but if your employer retaliates against you, there are laws that allow you to pursue compensation. Even in the event that you were wrong about the misconduct or illegal actions, so long as you had a reasonable, good faith belief that the actions were unlawful or constituted misconduct, you are protected by anti-retaliation laws. You would be protected, for instance, if you reported that you suspected your employer of committed a crime to a law enforcement agency. Retaliatory acts can include demotions, failure to promote, threats to report you to ICE, unfair write-ups, refusing you access to training, or refusing you necessary resources.

Your lawyer can have a big impact on your employment lawsuit. Calderone Law Firm represents clients in a full range of employment law matters, including wage and hour, employment discrimination, and whistleblower retaliation. Call the Kern County lawyers of Calderone Law Firm to determine your legal options for relief if you are in a dispute with your employer. In most cases, employers have more resources than their employees, and it is crucial to retain knowledgeable counsel that can put you on equal footing. We are strong advocates for workers in need of sharp strategies and representation to obtain the best possible legal outcome to their case. For a free initial consultation, please complete our online form or call us at (424) 348-8290.