When you find yourself in the midst of an employment law dispute, you want an attorney with the right experience and skills to guide you.
Our team of Silicon Valley lawyers understands the many intricacies of employment law claims.
Since 1999, our attorneys have been helping employees fight for their rights.
Silicon Valley is home to some of the largest companies on Earth, but our trial record proves that we are not intimidated by their size.
The Palo Alto lawyers at Ottinger Employment Lawyers handle the gamut of employment law claims for everyone from hourly employees to C-suite executives.
No matter what the issue is, the odds are that our team has seen it before.
Who Needs an Employment Law Attorney?
There are many good reasons to contact an employment lawyer in Silicon Valley.
Too many companies think they can get away with underpayments, discrimination, and wrongfully terminating their employees.
Tech companies may be the future, but they still have to follow the rules. If you think that your employer has violated your rights or you have other concerns about your employment, then we want to talk to you.
Wage and Hour Claims
One of the most frequent employment law issues we deal with is wage and hour claims. It is surprisingly common for companies to try to avoid paying their employees a fair wage.
Some of the tactics these companies use include:
- Refusing to pay overtime,
- Withholding paychecks,
- Not giving employees a lunch break, and
- Intentionally misclassifying employees as contractors.
California law requires your employer to compensate you fairly. If your employer is using any of the above tactics, you may have a wage and hour claim.
Discrimination Claims
Times are changing, but discrimination still remains alarmingly prevalent in the workplace.
Whether discrimination has occurred on a personal level or it is a systemic issue throughout the company, we can help.
Examples of workplace discrimination include discrimination due to:
- Gender or sexual orientation,
- Disability or illness,
- Age, and
- Race, religion, or ethnicity.
You don’t have to put up with workplace discrimination. The Fair Employment and Housing Act and the California Family Rights Act both protect workers from unlawful employment discrimination.
Our employment lawyers in Palo Alto want to ensure your rights are respected.
Wrongful Termination
It is nice to think that if you work hard and follow the rules, you will succeed at your job, but that’s not always the case.
Sometimes you do everything the right way and get terminated for the wrong reason. Wrongful termination can take a lot of forms.
Some of the more common cases involve:
- Retaliation for reporting sexual harassment or other wrongdoing;
- Discrimination based on race, gender, or disability;
- Breach of an employment agreement; and
- Unfair practices by the employer.
Layoffs and terminations may be a fact of life, but wrongful termination shouldn’t be. If you believe you were terminated wrongfully, then the attorneys at Ottinger Employment Lawyers may be able to help.
Severance Packages
Even if you are leaving your company on relatively good terms, it may still be wise to speak to an experienced attorney.
Many companies use severance packages when laying off or terminating employees. These packages might look appealing at first glance, but there are often terms and conditions that are not in your favor.
Some things to look out for include:
- Waivers of claims against the company,
- Non-compete and non-solicitation clauses, and
- Confidentiality agreements.
It’s important to know what you are signing. It’s also important to make sure that your employer pays your final paycheck in a timely manner.
Our team of Silicon Valley lawyers aims to get you the compensation package you deserve.
What Is the Next Step?
Figuring out the next step in an employment law claim can be frustrating and confusing. Employment law claims typically involve federal law, state law, or both.
On the federal side, your claim could involve the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), or the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
State claims could involve the California Equal Pay Act, California Labor Commissioner claims, and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
An employment law attorney can help you determine what claims you may have and what laws or regulations apply. An attorney can also help you decide between pursuing an administrative claim or filing a lawsuit.
How to Find a Palo Alto Employment Lawyer
Not all Palo Alto law firms handle employment law cases. Other firms may do some employment law, but only as a small part of their overall practice.
Our name says it all at Ottinger Employment Lawyers. This is our bread and butter. By dedicating ourselves to employment law, our skilled attorneys hope to provide you with a competent team that will get you results.
If you have any questions about your rights as an employee or even want to discuss a potential severance package, we want to talk to you. Contact us today at 866-709-1697 to find out more.