During work, employees need a safe environment to be successful in their role. When that safety is threatened, it can uplift a person’s entire life. If you’ve experienced any sort of abuse or illegal act in your workplace, reach out to a Costa Mesa employment law attorney to explore your legal options.
Employees should never have to face a hostile work environment because of who they are. America has worked to make workers feel safer in the workplace, but we have a long way to go before harassment cases disappear. Working with Costa Mesa employment law counsel during times of discrimination or retaliation can help you regain control of your life.
The attorneys at California Employment Counsel, APC, have dedicated their professional lives to advocating for the legal rights of their California neighbors and community members. With decades of legal experience, the team at California Employment Counsel, APC, is here to fight on your behalf. We work under the core belief that everyone should have access to competent legal services. Our client base consists of people going through destabilizing and scary situations.
Employees spend most of their time at work. We believe that every worker deserves to feel safe during their shift. When their employer or fellow employees make them feel unsafe, it’s our job to step in and ensure legal protection. Our team handles a wide variety of employment law cases.
It can be frustrating to be taken advantage of by your employer, but you don’t want to end up in a situation where you are unable to fight back. In the event of wrongful termination, harassment, retaliation, or some other workplace grievance, you need to make sure you take steps to protect yourself. If you are facing a similar situation, you may want to consider reaching out to our Costa Mesa employment lawyers for help.
The legal team at California Employment Counsel, APC, understands the difficulties of pursuing legal action against your employer. It can feel like burning a bridge. It’s understandable to be apprehensive about it. Having a Costa Mesa employment attorney by your side can make a significant difference. Working with an attorney with extensive experience handling employment matters and a deep knowledge of employment law can lead to a better outcome for your case.
We’ve helped clients reach verdicts upward of $7.5 million against Fortune 500 companies. Many of our lawyers have been designated Super Lawyers, including Raymond E. Hane III and Mark Swatik. We can bring you peace of mind and make sure you get the compensation you need to move forward.
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Employment law situations are not rare in the state of California. Recent data from the state’s Employment Development Department (EDD) showed that the number of employed Californians as of September 2025 was over 18 million. According to recent federal data, there were nearly 2,600 cases of workplace retaliation throughout the state in 2024 alone.
Employment law claims in Costa Mesa are generally handled at the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, which is located at the Costa Mesa Justice Complex at 3390 Harbor Blvd. According to recent statistical information collected by the State Bar of California, the California legal services market represented 15% of the total legal services available in the United States.
The Fair Employment and Housing Act is a California law that protects people from harassment and discrimination in the workplace and in housing. At work, it’s illegal for an employer to treat someone unfairly because of:
If you suspect you’ve faced discrimination based on an above-protected characteristic, it’s important to report it to HR or your employer. If they fail to take action, or you feel unsafe in reporting, contact an employment lawyer and file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. You have three years from the last date the discrimination happened to file your complaint.
From there, the Civil Rights Department will investigate what happened to resolve your issue. In 2023, the Civil Rights Department investigated 185 employee complaints in Orange County.
Wrongful termination happens when someone is fired or laid off for:
In 2023, the top industries in Costa Mesa were management occupations, office and administrative support, and sales. California is an at-will employment state, meaning either the employer or employee can end the working relationship at any time for almost any legal reason.
However, even in an at-will state, workers are protected from unlawful termination. It’s vital to hire an employment law attorney to help you understand your legal rights under California law. It can be difficult to detect unfair workplace treatment. Those in power often use underhanded tactics to make the victim feel crazy for feeling the way they do. Common signs of wrongful termination can include being fired for:
The top employers in Orange County include Fairview Developmental Center, Menzies Aviation, and Broadcom Corporation. Recognizing workplace harassment and discrimination can be challenging.
Perpetrators often use subtle bigotry to make the victim feel unsafe, while also questioning their version of reality. It’s incredibly manipulative. However, certain actions can be more obvious.
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act protects employees from workplace discrimination and harassment based on characteristics such as:
Employers have the responsibility to:
Employees who experience workplace discrimination or harassment can file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. From there, the Civil Rights Department can conduct its own investigation into the incidents or approve your right to open a legal case in court.
You must file your complaint within three years of the last date the discrimination or harassment happened. In 2023, the California Civil Rights Department investigated 4,072 employment claims, including 185 from Orange County.
In California, employers are legally required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities so they can perform the essential functions of their jobs. If you have a disability, medical condition, or pregnancy-related need, California law gives you the right to reasonable accommodations at work. Reasonable accommodations are changes to your work environment, job duties, or company policies that let you perform your essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations can include things like:
Employers can only deny a request for accommodation if it causes significant difficulty or expense. Employees can request accommodations when they believe they need them. Employers have a duty to respond promptly and act in good faith once a request is made, and to maintain the confidentiality of any medical information obtained during this process.
If an employer refuses to do so without a valid reason, employees may file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department.
In California, 4,527,224 people live with disabilities. Of those living with disabilities, 41.4% were employed in 2025, compared to 77.8% of California employees without a disability. When an employee discloses their disability, they have a right to request reasonable workplace accommodations.
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. Under this act, disabilities can include:
The process for requesting reasonable accommodation begins when you inform your employer of your need for accommodation. Your employer must act promptly to explore possible accommodations with you.
The Family and Medical Leave Act allows employees to take unpaid time off for certain family and medical reasons while maintaining their health insurance coverage and job. While on FMLA leave, your employer must continue your group health insurance under the same terms as if you were working. Employees can take up to twelve weeks of leave in a year to:
You’re legally allowed to take your leave, and if your employer punishes you for doing so, it can be considered retaliation.
Workplace retaliation occurs when an employer or manager punishes an employee for exercising their legal rights. Workers are protected from retaliation when they:
Complaints of retaliation generally must be filed within one year of the retaliatory action.
The top employers in Orange County include Menzies Aviation, Fairview Developmental Center, and Broadcom Corporation. In large workplaces, violations can be commonplace and underreported.
It may seem like pursuing a legal case isn’t worth doing, but anything that can help you feel safe is worth it. In 2023, the Civil Rights Department secured $116,506,424 in settlements for California residents who faced civil rights violations.
An employment lawyer can help you understand your rights and guide you through any legal issues. Working with an experienced lawyer helps you approach your case with confidence.
There are many kinds of situations that an employment lawyer can help you with. Employment lawyers largely assist employees with complicated situations that arise in the workplace and cannot be settled easily. That includes settling labor disputes, battling workplace harassment, and challenging incidents of mistreatment.
Here are some of the different situations that an employment lawyer may be able to help you work through:
In general, employees can file a legal claim within three years of an unlawful action by an employer, whether that is discrimination, wage and hour issues, or wrongful termination. However, the process can vary, depending on the unique facts of the case and the government agencies involved.
For example, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, also known as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), enforces wage and hour violations, but the Civil Rights Department (CRD) enforces discrimination laws. In some cases, federal agencies such as the Department of Labor may also be involved.
Agencies work together whenever possible, but each may have its own procedures, timelines, and other requirements. This can make employment law cases complicated and overwhelming for employees. An employment lawyer who is well-versed in state and federal employment law can help you determine your next right steps and take quick action so you can get the compensation you need.
Ray and Nick were an amazing team to work with during a very hard time in my life. Both worked diligently on a resolution and I am happy to say…
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If something has happened at your workplace that is creating a hostile work environment for you or making you feel singled out, you may have grounds to take legal action. At the very least, you should speak with an employment lawyer to learn your options. Reach out to California Employment Counsel, APC, today to learn how we can help you in your employment law case.
At California Employment Counsel, APC, our top priority is providing high-quality legal representation so employees can fight back against unlawful treatment by employers. Our skilled legal team can assist you in developing your case, gathering evidence, and protecting your interests as you navigate this difficult time. When you come in for your confidential consultation, you’ll be able to discuss your situation in detail. From there, our empathetic Costa Mesa lawyers will provide you with transparent legal advice. We value giving our clients the tools they need to take back control of their lives.
555 Anton Blvd,
Suite 150
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Call: 714-361-0864
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714-462-8376
555 Anton Blvd., Suite 150,
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
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