Our dedicated employment law attorneys at Schneiders & Associates, have decades of experience helping people in Ventura County to handle complex employment-related matters. Our team has extensive experience advising and representing both large and small employers. We offer a diverse range of services that are specifically tailored to meet the needs of each client. If your business is facing an employment law issue, call us for a consultation to discuss your options.
What Is Employment Law?
Employment law is a set of rules and regulations that govern relationships between employers and employees at businesses of all sizes. These laws cover such issues as hiring practices, fair wages, working conditions, and employee rights, and they are meant to provide a layer of protection for workers while also ensuring they receive fair treatment in the workplace. Given the complex nature of employment law cases, it is best to seek help from an employment law attorney who has extensive experience navigating the legal system for businesses like yours.
Emerging Issues in Employment Law in California
Employment law is rapidly evolving in California. As a result, there are emerging issues surrounding various aspects of employment. These include:
- Gig Workers—California’s (AB5) law creates various criteria to determine whether a worker is a gig worker or an employee. When workers do not receive the classification as employees, they can lose benefits and other protections.
- Remote Workers – Remote work may offer more flexibility; however, it is important to ensure the work complies with state labor laws, regulations on data privacy, and taxation implications.
- Artificial Intelligence – The use of artificial intelligence presents unique challenges in California workplaces. AI can lead to concerns about job displacement, potential bias in hiring processes, and data privacy issues.
- Diversity and Inclusion – Stringent anti-discrimination laws are in place across California to promote fair and inclusive work environments. Understanding all that these laws and guidelines cover can be confusing. However, it is important that employees know their rights.
- Privacy Laws – Following the enactment of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), more employers and employees have concerns about the security of their data. Failure to adhere to the regulations can result in significant legal consequences, damage to the organization, and fines.
Recent Changes in California Employment Laws
In addition to the emerging issues, some 2023 changes to existing laws impact California employers. Among those changes are:
- The state’s minimum wage increased to $15.00 per hour
- Minimum rate for exempt employees increased to $64,480 per year
- Employees can use their leave under the California Family Rights Act to care for a “designated person”
- Employers with five or more employees must offer up to five days of bereavement leave because of Assembly Bill 1949
- Assembly Bill 984 restricts the use of digital license plates on a company’s fleet of vehicles, restricting any tracking to business hours
- The Fair Employment and Housing Act now prevents discrimination based on “reproductive health decision-making”
- Senate Bill 1044 protects employees from employer retaliation if the worker refuses to come to work because they believe the workplace is unsafe
- Senate Bill 1477 reduces the portion of an employee’s wage that is subject to garnishment
- Employers with five or more employees will be unable to discriminate against employees due to off-the-job marijuana use under Assembly Bill 1288
Offering Comprehensive Legal Services
Our employment law attorneys offer an array of services to ensure our clients receive top-quality representation and strategic counsel in various areas of their business operations. Some of the legal matters we handle for clients include those involving:
Employment Law Compliance: Employment law compliance services at Schneiders & Associates focus on ensuring that businesses adhere to the legal requirements governing employee-employer relationships. This includes drafting and reviewing:
- Employment Agreements
- Employment Law Audits
- Employee Handbooks
- Overtime Compliance
- Wage and Hour Compliance, including Meal and Rest Break Compliance
Employee Rights and Protections: Our firm can review your company’s policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal worker protection laws. If disputes arise, we have handled cases for our clients involving:
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Claims
- Disability, Leave, and Health Management
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Claims, and California Family Rights Act (CFRA) Claims
- Prevailing Wage Law
- Retaliation
- Wrongful Termination
Workplace Conduct and Policies: When you have disputes with an employee, our team is prepared to represent you in any dispute resolution or mediation that results. We have experience in the following kinds of cases:
- Discipline and Termination
- Drug Testing and Substance Abuse Management
- Harassment
- Non-Compete and Trade Secret Law
- Privacy, Social Media and Information Management
- Sexual Harassment Law
- Workplace Safety and Health, including OSHA Compliance
Employment Disputes and Litigation: Our team at Schneiders & Associates knows that not every dispute must end in court. We offer various services for clients who prefer to handle disputes without litigation. We’re also prepared to represent you in court if that’s the avenue that will provide the best result for you. We can help with:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- General Employment Litigation
Contractual Arrangements and Compensation: At Schneiders & Associates, we excel in handling claims related to these issues. Our dedicated attorneys have extensive experience helping clients with cases surrounding:
- Commissions and Commission-Based Compensation Methods
- Compensation
- Severance Packages and Negotiation
Whether it involves structuring commission-based compensation methods, overseeing overall compensation strategies, or negotiating equitable severance packages, we work diligently to ensure that our clients’ contractual arrangements align with legal requirements and industry best practices.
HR Practices and Procedures: We offer comprehensive support in refining hiring and retention practices, conducting thorough internal investigations, and helping our clients provide specialized training programs for managers and employees. Some of the services we provide focus on:
- Hiring and Retention
- Internal Investigations
- Manager and Employee Education and Training, including AB1825 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Our employment law lawyers guide clients in navigating complex legal matters surrounding human resource management to help mitigate risks and promote a harmonious and productive work environment.
Legal Actions and Compliance: Our law firm can review your company documents to make sure you’re operating in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. If required, we’ll represent you in any legal actions that might spring up around compliance issues, such as:
- Administrative Claims, including Labor Commissioner Actions
- e-Discovery
- Public Sector Representation
- Reduction in Force, WARN Act
- Unemployment Insurance Benefits
- Whistleblower Claims
Why Work With Schneiders & Associates?
At Schneiders & Associates, we pride ourselves on being a distinguished business law firm led by the renowned father-son duo Roy and Ted Schneider. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our team’s commitment to excellence and dedication to providing top-tier legal services make us a standout choice for businesses in need of exceptional legal representation.
Our employment lawyers offer a tailored approach to legal solutions that prioritize protecting our client’s interests, ensuring compliance, and achieving favorable outcomes in complex legal matters.
The employment attorneys at Schneiders & Associates work closely with employers and human resource professionals to help them understand the basics of employment law, to minimize the risks of an employment law-related claim, and keep their businesses in compliance with ever-evolving federal and state laws and regulations.
Contact our Westlake & Ventura County employment attorney today for a consultation or if you are interested in having our attorneys perform an employment law audit of your business.
Contact Our Team Today
The employment law attorneys at Schneiders & Associates, serving Oxnard, Westlake, & Ventura County, are accomplished legal advisors and civil litigators with expertise in all aspects of employment law. With our background and experience advising, training, and counseling large and small employers, we have developed knowledge and skills that are useful in advising employers and defending them in employment litigation. We are effective in cases dealing with wage and hour compliance, leave policy compliance, state and federal discrimination claims, sexual harassment claims, confidentiality and trade secret protection, and employment contract enforcement. Our strategy protects clients from substantive pitfalls within a cost-conscious model.