Porterville Employment Lawyer

Any allegation of wrongdoing from an employee can result in significant fines and lasting reputational damage. After a formal complaint, it’s understandable to be frustrated and confused about what to do. A skilled Porterville employment lawyer can defend you against any accusations of wrongdoing and help take preventive measures to avoid future litigation.

Our team at Fishman, Larsen & Callister has over 80 years of combined legal experience representing employers in Porterville, Fresno, Madera, and across California in employment law cases. Founding partner and defense attorney Doug M. Larsen is a leader in the local human resources industry. He established the Central Valley HR & Safety Conference in 2000, which has since grown to become the largest HR conference in the region.

Employment law is the branch of state law that governs the relationship between employer and employee in California. Cases center on current or former employees claiming that their employer violated their rights. In 2024, the California Civil Rights Department received 33,505 intake forms and launched 4,077 employment investigations. Porterville employment claims are heard at the South County Justice Center, located at 300 East Olive Avenue, Porterville, CA 93257.

Porterville employment cases can take many forms, with accusations and damages ranging drastically in severity. The following are some common employment cases that the team at Fishman, Larsen & Callister handles:

Workplace Discrimination

Workplace discrimination cases involve an employee alleging they have been discriminated against, at any stage of the employment process, due to a characteristic that is protected under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. Examples include:

Wage and Hour Disputes

Wage and hour disputes encompass any situation where an employee alleges they were undercompensated for their work. This includes accusations of unreimbursed expenses, meal and rest violations, unpaid overtime, off-the-clock work, inaccurate pay stubs, or employee misclassifications.

Wrongful Termination

In California, an employer may let an employee go at any point without needing a specific reason. Wrongful termination cases occur when a former worker accuses a company of terminating them for unlawful reasons. Grounds for wrongful termination may center on a protected characteristic, retaliation for reporting a violation, or termination following a protected leave of absence.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment takes many forms, such as between co-workers or between an employee and a supervisor. Quid pro quo harassment involves a manager offering a promotion or benefit in exchange for sexual favors. Other incidents include unwanted sexual comments, jokes, advances, messages, and touching.

Employment legal matters can be confusing and overwhelming to handle on your own. While you may represent yourself, the potential for long-lasting repercussions for your business makes it recommended to hire an employment lawyer to help with your case. Your Porterville employment attorney can defend against disputes and take precautionary action. Services that Fishman, Larsen & Callister provide include:

Q: When Should You Speak With a California Employment Attorney?

A: You should speak with a California employment attorney when there is concern regarding a potential violation or when making a significant change to your business. Common scenarios when you should contact an employment lawyer include before firing an employee in a high-risk situation, when altering company policy, before conducting layoffs, or after receiving an employee complaint.

Q: How Much Does an Employment Lawyer Cost in California?

A: How much your California employment lawyer costs depends on many factors, such as the severity of an accusation, the complexity of the case, and the total work hours for the firm. Assistance in creating employee policies or adjusting existing codes typically costs less than defense against workplace discrimination claims involving multiple parties that proceed to trial. During your initial consultation, your attorney can provide a rough estimate of your total legal expenses.

Q: What Are Common Mistakes Employers Make in California Employment Cases?

A: Employers in California often make similar errors when navigating employment cases. One common mistake is failing to investigate an incident. Ignoring an employee’s complaint or delaying an investigation can increase an employer’s liability. Another frequent misstep is poor recordkeeping of pay and performance. Clear documentation is often necessary when disputing accusations of discrimination or wrongful wage and hour claims.

Q: When Can You Fire an Employee in California?

A: Under state law, you can let an employee go at any point. California is an at-will employment state, meaning that employers do not need a specific reason to fire someone. A firing may be considered unlawful if it is a retaliatory action, is based on an employee’s identity, breaks public policy, or violates an employee’s contract. Your employment lawyer can review your situation if you are concerned about the legality of a termination.

It can be difficult to balance the daily responsibilities of running a business and responding to disgruntled employees. Fishman, Larsen & Callister can use decades of experience and knowledge of employment law to represent you and make a positive difference in your situation.

Reach out today to schedule your initial consultation. During this meeting, we can learn the challenges you face and provide strategies to protect your business. You may also visit our Fresno offices located on North Fresno Street, south of Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center and north of Highway 41’s exit 134.