Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”) protects employees from discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the workplace. The law protects individuals from adverse employment actions (such as demotion, refusal of promotion, disciplinary actions and termination) based on protected characteristics. Such characteristics include race, color, ethnicity, national origin including accent, gender, sex, sexual orientation, family status, medical, pregnancy and maternity needs, and disability. We guide clients who require our help with these matters through every stage of their difficulties. Our services include:
Wage and Hour Disputes and Class Actions
California has a robust statutory scheme for protecting employees from abuses such as non-payment and underpayment of wages, denial of rest and meal breaks and other wage-payment related violations. Whether your wage claims are a part of a FEHA case, or a stand-alone violation, we are well prepared to seek all available remedies, including penalties, on your behalf. If you happen to be one of many individuals affected by an employer’s unlawful conduct, we have the expertise and demonstrated success in pursuing wage and hour class actions.
Robinson Markevitch & Parker provides robust legal services to address harassment issues, including:
Filing Complaints, Requesting Mitigation and Accommodations
When facing discrimination, harassment or retaliation, the first step is to seek help and mitigation internally through established company channels and procedures. Ideally, a complaint should trigger an investigation and help from Human Resources personnel and management. We guide our clients through this difficult process with the goal of prompting the employer to resolve and mitigate the unlawful conduct, allowing the client to continue gainful employment in an environment free of unlawful conduct.
Exit and Severance Negotiation
Often, the damage caused by the employer’s conduct is irreparable, and continuing a working relationship is not possible. We help our clients devise, negotiate and effectuate the best exit strategy, including severance packages, and other benefits of a “soft landing” separation.
Pre-Litigation Planning and Dispute Resolution
When a dispute is unavoidable, we nonetheless help our clients make a “last ditch” effort to avoid litigation and reach a settlement entirely out of court. Our lawyers engage in carefully crafted negotiations with the employer’s counsel, often resorting to pre-filing mediations and other pragmatic resolution strategies aimed at minimizing the effect of the employer’s violations on the client. We continue efforts to resolve the disputes by settlement throughout the life of litigation aiming to mitigate the risks or trial for both sides and find an opportunity for amicable and cooperative resolution
Complex Employment Litigation
Our lawyers litigate complex employment cases from start to finish as a matter of routine and our firm’s primary practice. We prioritize efficient resolutions that align with our client’s financial, professional and life objectives. Our team is equipped to handle complex employment matters in state and federal courts and arbitration tribunals.