As Memorial Day approaches, we at Matern Law Group take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who have served and continue to serve our country. This holiday is a time to honor those who gave their lives in service, and it is also an opportunity to consider the rights and freedoms we enjoy as Americans, including the right to work and earn a living free from discrimination and harassment.
Honoring Those Who Serve
At Matern Law Group, we have great respect and admiration for our servicemen and women. We recognize the sacrifices they make to defend our country and uphold our freedoms. We also understand that veterans and active-duty military personnel face unique challenges when it comes to finding and maintaining employment.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for veterans was 6.6 percent in 2020, compared to 6.0 percent for non-veterans. Furthermore, veterans with disabilities experience an unemployment rate of 9.6 percent. These statistics underscore the need to protect the employment rights of our servicemen and women.
Protecting Employment Rights
At Matern Law Group, we are passionate about protecting the employment rights of all workers in California. We believe that every worker has the right to a safe and inclusive workplace, free from discrimination and harassment. Our attorneys are experienced in representing plaintiffs in a wide range of employment law cases, from wrongful termination to wage and hour disputes.
We believe that it is critical for employees to understand their rights under state and federal employment laws. Some of the laws that protect workers in California include:
- Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): This California state law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics.
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: This federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): This federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on disability and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): This federal law allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for certain family and medical reasons.
These laws are designed to protect employees from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace. At Matern Law Group, we work tirelessly to enforce these laws and hold employers accountable for violations.
How Matern Law Group Can Help
If you believe that your employment rights have been violated, the attorneys at Matern Law Group can help. Our experienced attorneys can provide guidance and representation in a variety of employment law matters, including:
- Discrimination and harassment: We can help you if you have experienced discrimination or harassment at work based on your race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other protected characteristic.
- Retaliation: We can assist you if you have suffered retaliation at work for asserting your rights under state or federal employment laws.
- Wage and hour violations: We can represent you in disputes over minimum wage, overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, and other wage and hour issues.
- Wrongful termination: We can help you if you have been wrongfully terminated from your job in violation of state or federal law.
At Matern Law Group, we understand the complex and often emotionally charged nature of employment law cases. We are committed to providing our clients with the support, guidance, and representation they need to achieve a successful outcome.
Get help in your fight for justice
As we honor the sacrifice and service of our military personnel on Memorial Day, let us also remember the importance of protecting the employment rights of all workers. At Matern Law Group, we stand ready to assist employees who have been victimized by discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage theft, and other forms of employment law violations. Our firm is dedicated to upholding the rights of plaintiffs and fighting for justice on their behalf.
We encourage you to take some time this Memorial Day to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who have served our country. Let us also remember the ongoing struggle to ensure that all workers in California are treated fairly and with dignity in their workplaces. If you have questions about your employment rights or believe that they have been violated, do not hesitate to contact Matern Law Group for guidance and representation.
Sources:
- United States Department of Labor. (2020). Employment Situation of Veterans – 2020. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/vet.pdf
- California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. (n.d.). Fair Employment and Housing Act. https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/fair-employment-housing-act/
- S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/title-vii-civil-rights-act-1964
- S. Department of Justice. (n.d.). Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Overview. https://www.ada.gov/ada_intro.htm
- S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). Wage and Hour Division (WHD). https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd
- S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla