Helpless to Empowered

Los Angeles is a diverse place with many different kinds of people. Unfortunately, there still exists many prejudices surrounding employer-employee relationships, race, gender, marital status, religion, and more. As this leaks into the workplace, many people experience severe types of discrimination that can lead to uncomfortable – and sometimes dangerous – working conditions.

At Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers – Los Angeles wrongful termination lawyer, we are here to help with all of your legal workplace needs by providing experienced Los Angeles employment attorneys. Our aim is to unravel the truth behind the opacity of the state of employment in southern California and to seek redemption for those who have experienced injustices in their places of work.

The Case Of Kevin Peralta

According to a new suit opened in the Los Angeles Superior Court, former line cook Kevin Peralta experienced a slew of discriminatory remarks and hostile tendencies from his superiors and coworkers. Unfortunately not all too uncommon, much of this stemmed from his Guatemalan heritage.

Peralta was working in food preparation at Spago by the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group in Beverly Hills, California. His job duties included mixing and preparing sauces, cooking foods for guests, stocking food supplies, and other miscellaneous tasks for the kitchen. He reportedly worked over 40 hours each week, maintaining an average of over eight hours every day. He has claimed that he was not compensated or paid for his overtime.

The suit alleges a wide variety of discriminatory remarks launched at Peralta, including negative references to his heritage, aesthetics, and relationships. All of this culminated in a hostile work environment in which Peralta’s abilities to perform his job description were jeopardized. Some of the most egregious statements come after the death of some of Peralta’s close friends. A manager is said to have stated that he didn’t care “about [Peralta’s] friends”.

The suit adds that Peralta was additionally hazed upon being hired and that he was even denied meal breaks and the ability to use the restroom. After more details of the harassment by more managers began to surface, retaliation and discrimination were added to the lawsuit. The plaintiff’s emotional and mental condition worsened even more after returning from leave to take care of his pregnant wife and unborn daughter. Peralta claims that following this leave he was treated even more poorly than before, sparking the imagination of many in the greater Los Angeles area of what could be happening behind closed doors.

Your Fortress Of Protection

Peralta is just one of many examples of injustices that many Californians face in their professional lives. Luckily, in California employees are afforded certain rights that attempt to guarantee a fair work environment. This allows the employees to better perform their duties and tasks without suffering unfair treatment in their workspaces.

There are a number of rights that a Californian has as a worker:

• The right to freedom from discrimination and harassment of all types
• The right to be paid a just wage for performed work
• The right to freedom from retaliation when submitting complaints about superiors

As already noted, this is not always the case in practice. If someone is suffering workplace harassment or discrimination, it is recommended they seek legal help and counsel as soon as possible, so that they may be compensated for the emotional, mental, and financial damages that they may have suffered.

A Voice For The Voiceless

Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers – Employment Attorney & Wrongful Termination Lawyer has expert and ready-to-go Los Angeles employment attorneys. We are experienced in workplace discrimination, wrongful termination, and hostile work environment law across southern California. If you or someone you know is suffering from discrimination or wrongful treatment in the workplace, please click here or call 310-527-6994 for a free consultation at your earliest convenience.