Hiring new workers can be a sign of a thriving business that needs extra help to keep operations going. And, when businesses hire workers, it betters the community overall by providing opportunities for gainful employment. However, hiring a new employee is always a risk. The employee may not be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of their job and could even make costly mistakes. New employees may not blend in well with other employees and disagreements or issues can arise. Simply put, while hiring new employees may be necessary and even represent a growing and profitable business, there is still the potential that they present liabilities for businesses.
The actions of an employee can put a business at risk of facing legal disputes. As a business owner, knowing the potential issues that can happen with a workforce can help you look for ways to be proactive in mitigating any problems that can affect the company.
There are many reasons why an employee may be motivated to file a lawsuit against your company, and a lawsuit can take your valuable time away from running your business and be extremely disruptive. If you are facing a legal dispute coming from an employee, call the Los Angeles business litigation attorney at the Leiva Law Firm for assistance.
Why Do Employees Sue their Employers?
Not every employee will be prone to being disgruntled and feel as if they have been wronged by their employer. But there is always the possibility of this happening and if it does, an employee may take legal action.
Some of the most common reasons businesses have employment lawsuits against them include the following:
Discrimination
There are several ways that an employee may feel like they have been unfairly mistreated at work. Perhaps they see an inability to get those promotions and work their way up in a company due to age, sex, or racial discrimination. Or an employee may feel like their work environment with management or coworkers is toxic towards them and hostile for reasons of discrimination.
Wage Violations
Employers must follow strict wage and hour laws in California as well as federal laws. Refusing to fairly pay an employee, making a payroll mistake, or misclassifying workers as an independent contractors are all reasons an employee could file a claim against their employer.
Retaliation
An employee may believe that they are being retaliated against by their employer if they experience what they perceive as unjustified treatment for various reasons. Perhaps they asked for leave time or they rebuffed unwanted sexual advances. An employee who believes they are being punished for their actions or for reporting a workplace issue may file a suit on the basis of retaliation.
Speak to an Attorney at the Leiva Law
Having employees take on tasks can help your business run more smoothly and allow you to stay focused on the bigger picture. But, an employee who believes they are experiencing bias or prejudice may decide to file a lawsuit. In these situations, it is best to have an attorney helping you manage the fallout.
For assistance with an employment lawsuit in California, please call the Leiva Law Firm today at (818) 519-4465. Initial consultations are free.
