- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- - SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- - SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
Our Glendale employment lawyers advocate for employees facing pay disputes, wrongful termination, harassment, retaliation, and more. If your employer refuses to act justly, we will pursue the compensation and remedies available under the law.
Contact Mercer Legal Group today for a free consultation with a Glendale employment lawyer.
The intricacies of employment law and the strict deadlines for filing claims or presenting evidence can greatly affect your chances of getting compensation. Missing these timelines can weaken your case, which is why having an experienced Glendale employment lawyer works to meet every requirement promptly and accurately. At Mercer Legal Group, we’re here to help you navigate the legal process, which we know can be both emotionally and financially challenging. Whether negotiating a settlement or preparing for trial, our dedicated team of experienced lawyers will advocate vigorously for your workplace rights and pursue your case diligently.
Hiring a Glendale employment lawyer can make a big difference when workplace problems arise. Employment laws can be a complex area, and both California and local legal procedures can affect how a case moves forward under federal and state laws. A lawyer who understands the Glendale legal environment knows how these rules apply in real situations. They also understand the local courts and how employment disputes are typically handled by a law office in the area.
Many employees in Glendale face issues like wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, retaliation, or unpaid wages. These situations can feel overwhelming when handled alone, especially if someone believes they were wrongfully terminated.
A local employment lawyer can review the facts, explain your options, and help you take the right steps to protect your rights by pursuing an employment law claim. With personalized guidance and dedicated advocacy, the right lawyer can help you pursue the remedies available under the law and hold an employer accountable when they break the law.
Workplace problems can happen in many forms, and employees often are not sure where to turn for help. A Glendale employment law attorney may handle a wide range of issues, from wrongful termination and workplace discrimination to retaliation and wage disputes. Understanding these common legal concerns can help you recognize when your rights may have been violated under federal employment laws; therefore, we will examine the specific employment issues that these lawyers regularly handle.
Employment Discrimination and Harassment
Employment discrimination and harassment happen when an employee is treated unfairly because of protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, disability, or national origin. Under laws in California and federal protections enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employees have the right to work in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Unfortunately, these issues still occur in many workplaces, including in Glendale. A Glendale employment lawyer can review your situation, gather evidence, and help you file a complaint or legal claim if your rights were violated, especially when actions occur for an illegal reason. With the right legal guidance, employees can push back against unfair treatment and pursue accountability from employers who break the law under federal and state laws.
Wage and Overtime Disputes
Wage and overtime disputes happen when employees are not paid what they are legally owed for their work. This can include unpaid overtime, missed meal or rest breaks, minimum wage violations, or being misclassified as an independent contractor. Under laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act and protections enforced by the California Department of Industrial Relations, workers have the right to receive proper pay for every hour they work.
When employers fail to follow these rules, employees may lose thousands of dollars in wages over time. A Glendale employment lawyer can review pay records, identify other violations, and help workers pursue unpaid wages, penalties, and other remedies available under the law while holding the company accountable.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Violations
FMLA violations occur when an employer denies eligible employees their right to take unpaid, job-protected leave for medical reasons, family care, or pregnancy. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), workers can take up to 12 weeks of leave without fear of losing their jobs or facing retaliation.
Unfortunately, some employers ignore these protections, creating stress and financial strain for employees. A Glendale FMLA discrimination lawyer can review your case, help document violations, and guide you through filing a complaint or lawsuit. With experienced legal support, employees can enforce their rights and recover lost wages or benefits if their FMLA protections were denied.
Retaliation Claims in the Workplace
Retaliation claims arise when an employer punishes an employee for asserting their legal rights, such as reporting discrimination, harassment, or wage violations. Employees are protected under Title VII and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), as well as other laws enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and California labor statutes, meaning employers cannot fire, demote, or harass employees for speaking up.
A Glendale employment lawyer can assess your situation, gather evidence like emails, performance reviews, or witness statements, and guide you through filing a complaint or lawsuit with the support of a legal team. With legal support, employees can hold employers accountable and seek remedies such as reinstatement, back pay, or damages, and may contact the attorney for further guidance.
Retaliation claims in Glendale can lead to serious consequences for employers, including fines and liability for damages tied to workplace retaliation. Employees typically have 300 days from the retaliatory act to file a claim with the EEOC or California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and may seek a free consultation to understand their options. Key evidence often includes documentation of complaints, timelines of employer actions, and any witness accounts showing a link between protected activity and adverse treatment.
Mercer Legal Group’s employment attorneys have handled the full range of employment matters that come through Glendale workplaces — wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, harassment, FMLA and CFRA leave interference, and the kinds of supervisor misconduct that don’t get reported until a worker calls a lawyer. We are California-licensed and we know how the California Labor Code and the Fair Employment and Housing Act actually run in practice (which is often differently from how the statutes read on paper). Glendale’s workforce — from the entertainment-industry workforce along Brand Boulevard to the medical and retail employers nearby — runs into the same patterns: pretextual layoffs that follow a medical leave, performance write-ups that appear only after a complaint, sudden role changes for workers who pushed back on safety or wage concerns.
Simon Moshkovich (CA Bar #323584) leads the employment team. If you are looking for representation, the first step is the same: a free initial consultation where we look at what happened, the documentation you have, and the deadlines that may already be running. Do I Need an Employment Lawyer? covers the common situations that warrant that call.
California gives Glendale employees stronger workplace protections than federal law in most areas. The California Labor Code (wage and hour, retaliation under §1102.5, expense reimbursement under §2802), the Fair Employment and Housing Act (discrimination, harassment, retaliation — covers employers with five or more employees), and the California Family Rights Act (medical and family leave, often broader than the federal FMLA) collectively cover most workplace disputes a Glendale worker will face. Local Glendale employers also have to comply with Los Angeles County ordinances on top of state law.
Our representation includes filing with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD, formerly DFEH), handling EEOC charges, bringing administrative wage claims with the California Labor Commissioner’s office, and litigating in Los Angeles County Superior Court when negotiation does not produce a negotiated resolution. We work each case through the procedural path the facts actually call for. How to Prove Employment Discrimination in California walks through the evidence patterns that move discrimination claims forward.
Labor and employment law in California is not the same area of practice as general civil litigation, and the difference matters when the facts get complicated. Common Glendale workplace issues we handle include unpaid wages, hostile work environment claims, discrimination based on age, race, gender, pregnancy, disability, national origin, sexual orientation or other protected characteristics, retaliation for protected complaints, and constructive discharge where conditions become so intolerable a worker has to resign. A labor law attorney can preserve evidence early, negotiate with the employer’s counsel from a position of knowing the statutes, and either settle or litigate based on what the case is actually worth.
The terminology around this work confuses a lot of people. The terms employment attorney, labor attorney, and work lawyers often get used interchangeably, but in practice they refer to overlapping but distinct things:
| Term | What It Typically Means | When You Want One |
|---|---|---|
| Employment attorney | Individual-employee representation: wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage claims, FMLA/CFRA leave issues, severance review | You are an employee or former employee with a workplace dispute against your employer |
| Labor attorney | Historically: union-side or management-side work involving NLRA collective bargaining, union contracts, organizing campaigns, ULP charges. Today often used as a synonym for employment attorney by general searchers. | You are dealing with union representation issues, NLRA matters, or a collective workplace dispute |
| Work lawyer / work attorney | Informal umbrella term — usually means whatever the searcher would call an employment lawyer | You are searching casually; what you actually need is almost always an employment attorney |
How Lawyers for Overtime Help Employees covers wage-and-hour specifics, including the kinds of overtime violations Glendale workers run into most. For FMLA-related concerns specifically, FMLA Discrimination Lawyer Tips is a practical reference.
Our employment lawyers represent Glendale workers across the issues that come up most often:
We offer free initial consultations and are available 24/7 — SE HABLA ESPAÑOL. Employment Discrimination Attorneys goes into more depth on how we work cases for Glendale clients. For harassment-specific guidance, see How to Choose a Workplace Harassment Lawyer and Workplace Sexual Harassment Help.
This Glendale page focuses on local representation and the specific patterns we see in Glendale workplaces. For the firm’s broader practice across all of California, see our Employment Law Services page.
Contact our Glendale Employment Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today
Common Workplace Disputes Our Lawyers Handle
Employees in Glendale often face workplace issues that violate California employment laws and labor regulations, and knowing your rights under these California labor laws is the first step toward protecting yourself. Our law group handles a wide range of disputes across different practice areas and guides you through the legal process with clarity and confidence. Below are some of the most common cases we resolve for clients:
1. Wrongful Termination
Unlawful termination, wrongful discharge, or violations of California employment laws can result in your loss of income and clarity, especially if you were wrongfully terminated. Our lawyers investigate whether your termination breached FEHA, public-policy protections, or employment contracts. We work to pursue compensation and hold employers accountable for unlawful firings.
2. Workplace Discrimination
Employment discrimination, including discrimination based on disability, age, gender, race, religion, or other protected traits, is prohibited under California law. If you have been treated unfairly, denied opportunities, or singled out due to your protected characteristics, you may have a claim. Our attorneys build evidence-based cases to address discrimination by employers in the workplace.
3. Sexual Harassment
No employer should subject an employee to sexual harassment or unwelcome sexual advances, comments, or hostile behavior, including harassment based on sexual orientation. Our team helps you document incidents, file complaints, and take legal action when necessary. We work to stop the harassment, protect your job, and pursue the compensation available under the law for the harm caused.
4. Wage & Hour Disputes
Many California employees experience unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, or misclassification as independent contractors, which violate California’s wage and hour laws. These issues can significantly reduce your earnings over time. We pursue back pay, penalties, and employer compliance with California’s strict wage and hour laws.
5. Retaliation Claims
Employers cannot punish workers for reporting illegal activity, harassment, safety violations, or wage theft. If you were demoted, disciplined, or fired after speaking up, you may have a retaliation claim. Our lawyers work to protect whistleblowers and protect their workplace rights.
6. Unpaid Wages and Commissions
Employees are entitled to every dollar they’ve earned, including bonuses, commissions, and final wages. When employers withhold pay, it creates financial hardship and violates labor law. We help you pursue the compensation available under the law and pursue penalties to hold your employer accountable. Our firm provides various employment law services to clients not only in Glendale but also throughout the greater Los Angeles County region. We’re committed to representing you, no matter where you live or work in the surrounding communities.
Your Rights as an Employee in Glendale
If you work in Glendale, California, you have protections under state and federal laws. State rules include the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the California Labor Code. Federal laws like the Civil Rights Act also apply. These laws protect you from discrimination, harassment, wage violations, and unsafe working conditions.
FEHA and federal laws ban discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, and other protected traits. The Labor Code ensures fair wages, overtime pay, and safe workplaces. Glendale may also have local rules that add protections, like city-specific anti-discrimination laws or paid sick leave.
Understanding all these rights can be complex. An experienced employment lawyer can review your situation, help you file claims, and guide you through complaints, negotiations, or lawsuits. They make sure your rights are enforced and pursue compensation if you’ve been treated unfairly.
Employees in Glendale, California, are protected under state employment laws, including the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the California Labor Code, as well as federal laws such as the Civil Rights Act. These protections safeguard workers against discrimination and harassment. They also protect against wage violations and unsafe working conditions.
FEHA and federal laws specifically prohibit discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, and other protected characteristics. At the same time, the Labor Code ensures fair wages, overtime pay, and proper workplace safety standards.
While Glendale largely follows state regulations, local ordinances may provide additional protections, such as city-specific anti-discrimination measures or paid sick leave rules. Navigating these rights can be complex, which is why an experienced employment lawyer can help you evaluate your case and file an employment law claim. Legal professionals guide employees through complaints, negotiations, and potential lawsuits, ensuring the enforcement of their rights and the provision of appropriate compensation for unfair treatment.
including FEHA, wage and hour regulations, and wrongful termination statutes, while also understanding how Glendale-specific workplaces and employers operate. At Mercer Legal Group, your lawyer will investigate your claim, gather evidence, and consult qualified experts to build a tailored case based on the facts of your situation.
Because every workplace dispute is different, a personalized legal strategy is essential. An experienced Glendale employment law attorney at our law firm can evaluate the unique details of your employment history, work with medical, financial, and vocational professionals, and pursue the remedies available under the law. By strategically negotiating or litigating on your behalf, our attorneys pursue the compensation available under the law, whether that means recovering unpaid wages, pursuing damages for wrongful termination, or holding an employer accountable for discriminatory conduct.
What to Expect When You Work With an Employment Lawyer
Working with an employment lawyer can lead to negotiated settlements for Glendale employees facing unpaid wages, discrimination, or harassment. Lawyers help negotiate with employers to pursue financial compensation for lost income, emotional distress, and other damages, providing a clear path to resolving disputes without prolonged litigation.
In cases of wrongful termination, an employment lawyer can pursue compensation, advocate for reinstatement, or negotiate legal agreements that protect the employee’s future rights. Additionally, their involvement can prompt employers to implement policy changes, improving workplace conditions and preventing similar issues for other Glendale employees. By guiding clients through complex legal processes, lawyers work toward resolving disputes and long-term protections.
When your workplace rights are at stake, picking the right lawyer is crucial. Here are essential factors to consider when selecting an attorney in Glendale:
Experience Matters: Look for lawyers who handle employment law cases regularly. Those familiar with discrimination, wrongful termination, or retaliation can spot issues others might miss.
Local Knowledge: A lawyer who understands Glendale courts and local legal rules has an advantage. They know how cases are handled in your area.
Relevant Experience: Check their experience and see if they’ve handled cases like yours. Experience with similar cases suggests they are familiar with this area of law.
Consultations and Fees: Schedule a meeting to discuss fees, process, and how they communicate. Clear explanations and transparency are signs of a good lawyer.
Client Feedback: Read reviews to learn how they treat clients and respond to concerns. Positive feedback indicates that they are dependable and accessible.
Why Law Mercer Is Your Glendale Employment Law Firm
When it comes to protecting your workplace rights, experience and local knowledge matter. Here’s what sets our team apart in Glendale:
Relevant Experience: Our team has handled a range of employment law matters, quickly building experience in Glendale workplaces. We know how to navigate complex legal challenges.
Our Experience: We’ve handled a range of employment matters, handling matters through settlement and litigation for our clients. We focus on careful case preparation.
Local Recognition: Mercer Legal Group serves the Glendale community and represents employees in workplace disputes across Glendale and the broader Los Angeles area. Our work is built on careful case preparation and clear communication with clients.
Bilingual Services: We offer legal support in both English and Spanish. This ensures clear communication and personalized guidance for more clients.
Mercer Legal Group reviews employment law claims carefully, explains available options, and pursues appropriate remedies when the facts and law support them. Every case is different, and no attorney can guarantee a specific result.
Two notable employment-law case results listed by Mercer Legal Group show how experienced legal support can be important. In one hostile work environment case, Mercer helped four employees who faced discrimination from their employer’s owner and manager. In a separate retaliation case, Mercer defended an employee who faced wrongful termination just three months after reporting wage and hour violations. These results show that an employment lawyer can hold employers accountable and help employees pursue claims for unfair treatment.
Ready to Speak to an Employment Lawyer in Glendale?
At Mercer Legal Group, our Glendale employment lawyers bring experience, credibility, and relevant experience to protecting workers facing discrimination, retaliation, wage violations, or wrongful termination. We understand how deeply these issues affect your career, finances, and well-being, which is why we provide clear guidance and skilled, dedicated representation from start to finish. If you’re dealing with unfair treatment at work, contact our team today for a free case review and dedicated support toward resolving your claim.
When navigating workplace disputes, you likely have questions about your rights and legal options. Our FAQ answers common concerns to help you understand how a Glendale employment lawyer can assist with wrongful termination, discrimination, and other employment issues.
How Much Will an Employment Lawyer Cost?
An employment lawyer typically charges either an hourly rate or a contingency fee, depending on the case and its complexity. Costs can range from a few hundred dollars for simple consultations to a percentage of your settlement if the lawyer works on contingency.
What Affects the Outcome of an Employment Lawsuit?
The odds of winning an employment lawsuit vary widely based on the strength of your evidence, the type of claim, and the employer’s defenses. Cases with clear documentation, witness support, and legal violations generally have a more documented claim, though outcomes vary by case.
How Do I Know if I Have a Case for Wrongful Termination in Glendale?
You may have a wrongful termination case in Glendale if you were laid off for an illegal reason, such as discrimination, retaliation, or reporting workplace misconduct. Strong evidence, like emails, performance records, or witness statements, can help confirm whether your rights were violated.
How Do I Report Workplace Discrimination in Glendale?
You can report workplace discrimination in Glendale by filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). It also helps to document incidents and speak with an employment lawyer to protect your rights during the process.
How Does Filing a Claim Work in California?
Filing a claim in California typically starts with submitting a complaint to the appropriate agency or court, depending on the type of case. After filing, the agency or court reviews the claim, investigates if necessary, and guides both parties through steps like mediation, discovery, and potential hearings.
What Not to Say to an Employment Lawyer?
Avoid speculation about what your employer was thinking, statements you believe could hurt your case, or assumptions about deadlines or remedies that haven’t been verified. Stick to what you know firsthand — what happened, when, who was involved, and what was said or written. Bring documentation rather than reconstructing it from memory. Anything you tell us in the initial consultation is confidential. If you are unsure whether something is relevant, share it and let us evaluate.
Is an Employment Lawsuit Worth It?
The honest answer depends on your facts, the documentation, and what you want out of the process. A strong FEHA discrimination, wrongful termination, or retaliation case can recover back pay, front pay, emotional distress damages, attorneys’ fees, and in egregious cases punitive damages. A case with thin evidence or unclear legal theory may not be worth the time and emotional weight of litigation. We will give you a straight read during the free consultation — including alternatives like internal complaints or administrative filings that may serve you better than a lawsuit.
Is an Unemployment Lawyer Worth It?
For routine California EDD unemployment-benefit claims and appeals, most workers can navigate the process without a lawyer. Where an employment lawyer becomes worth it is when the underlying termination itself may be wrongful — for example, you were fired in retaliation for a complaint, after taking medical leave, or for a discriminatory reason. In those situations the EDD claim is only part of the picture and the available recovery from an employment claim is substantially larger. A free consultation will tell you which category your situation falls into.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Glendale Employment Lawyer?
Most plaintiff-side employment work in California is contingency — you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover for you, and the initial consultation is free. Litigation costs (filing fees, deposition transcripts, expert witnesses) are a separate question: clients can remain responsible for costs regardless of outcome, depending on how the retainer agreement is written. We walk through the cost terms in plain English before you sign anything.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and regulations vary by jurisdiction and may change over time, so you should consult a qualified Glendale employment attorney from Mercer Legal Group directly for advice regarding your specific situation. Past examples, case studies, or hypothetical scenarios are illustrative only and do not guarantee similar results.
