It is not uncommon, in light of current economic pressures, for employers to determine that they must lay-off one or more workers in order to reduce costs and maintain a company’s ability to operate. It is also not uncommon that such actions often result in legal challenges for employers when they find themselves facing wrongful termination claims. With regard to parental leave and similar issues, there are laws and regulations that govern such matters. California business owners concerned about possible employment litigation often turn to experienced business and commercial law attorneys for guidance.
The California Family Rights Act and similar laws are in place to protect workers who need leaves of absence for family reasons. However, groups of workers have recently come forward, demanding that they, too, be given these types of paid absences, even though they are not eligible under current laws. Employers throughout the state typically must provide up to 12 weeks of paid vacation and job protection, if their businesses employ 50 or more workers.
Many business owners find themselves entangled in legal battles when disgruntled former employees accuse them of wrongful termination. Under such circumstances, employers have every right to retain aggressive representation from legal professionals as they proceed to court. No employer should have to pay for a wrong that was never committed.
In addition to parental leave issues, California employers may also be falsely accused of contract violations, retaliatory termination or harassment. Experienced employment litigation attorneys can assist business owners when these unfortunate disputes arise. They can also offer assistance in carefully constructing employment contracts in order to help prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.
Source: sfchronicle.com, “Why we need stronger laws on parental leave“, Menaka Fernando, Feb. 29, 2016