How Can a San Francisco Employment Lawyer Help?
When employees face problems at work, understanding their legal rights is often the first challenge. A San Francisco employment lawyer can evaluate your circumstances, explain the laws that may apply, and help determine what options may be available while helping protect you from further retaliation.
At Venardi Zurada, our attorneys work closely with you to review the key details of your situation, including employment agreements, company policies, pay records, and documentation related to internal complaints. From there, we develop a strategy tailored to the specific facts of your case. Depending on the circumstances, that may involve filing administrative claims, negotiating with your employer, or pursuing litigation when necessary to protect your rights.
"Highly Recommend"
Highly recommend them! I am very new to legal cases yet I was very thankful for the effective communication and help I got from the team. Speaking Spanish also helped me feel like home, thank you.
Anayely R.
"Mark’s advice was spot-on"
I retained Mark after consulting him regarding issues I was experiencing with my employer. Mark’s advice was spot-on, and he was extremely generous with both his time and billing. More importantly, Mark fought diligently for my rights throughout the process ensuring I was not taken advantage of. It can not be overstated how important it is to have a knowledgable attorney with integrity leading the way when you find yourself being bullied by a juggernaut of a corporation. Having Mark in my corner was the best decision I could have possibly made.
Chris C.
"Expert Negotiators, Genuine Care"
I am very thankful to have been represented by VZ Law Firm for my employment settlement. They did their best to negotiate a reasonable settlement amount for my case. I also felt very cared for by everyone I interacted with at the firm throughout the process. Highly recommend.
Natnael D.
"Your Best Choice for Employment Law"
If you need an employment attorney in the Bay Area, Tanya and the team at VZ are highly regarded, and I consider them the best choice. You won’t be disappointed.
Aaron F.
What Types of Employment Law Issues Does Venardi Zurada Handle?
Employment law disputes can arise in many ways, and employees may not always realize their rights have been violated. Our attorneys assist with a range of workplace issues, including:
- Workplace discrimination involving race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, national origin, weight, religion, or other protected characteristics. For example, an employee working near Market Street may experience gender discrimination when promotions are repeatedly given to less qualified colleagues.
- Sexual harassment, assault, and hostile work environments, such as a server in a Mission District restaurant being subjected to repeated harassment by a supervisor.
- Wrongful termination, including situations where an employee is fired after raising safety concerns or reporting misconduct, such as a worker at a tech startup in the SoMa district who is terminated after whistleblowing.
- Retaliation for complaints, which may occur when employees report unlawful conduct, discrimination, or workplace safety issues.
- Wage theft, unpaid overtime, and denied meal breaks often lead to wage and hour claims, such as when a retail employee in Union Square is denied overtime pay.
- Employee misclassification where workers are improperly labeled as independent contractors or exempt employees to avoid overtime and other wage obligations.
When these situations occur, an experienced San Francisco employment lawyer can evaluate the circumstances and help you determine whether legal action may be appropriate.
Our Employment Law Case Results
Our clients have shared how workplace violations affected their careers, finances, and well-being, and how these results helped them move forward and hold their employers accountable.
- $600 Thousand Misclassification Settlement: Pharmacists were improperly classified as salaried employees and denied overtime pay and legally required meal breaks. After extensive document review and litigation preparation, our firm secured compensation for the affected workers.
- $550 Thousand Wage and Hour Settlement: Multiple restaurant employees were denied proper wages and rest breaks. After significant litigation and discovery, the case resolved shortly before trial.
- $500 Thousand Sexual Harassment and Wrongful Termination Settlement: Two restaurant employees experienced repeated sexual harassment by a supervisor. When the misconduct was reported, the complaints were ignored, and one worker was terminated.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Workplace Violations?
California employment laws may hold employers and other involved parties accountable when unlawful conduct occurs in the workplace. Depending on the circumstances, more than one party may be legally responsible for workplace violations in San Francisco, including:
- Employers: Companies are generally responsible for maintaining lawful workplaces and preventing discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage violations.
- Third Parties: Vendors, contractors, or outside consultants connected to the workplace may contribute to unlawful conduct. If an employer fails to address harassment by a third party, such as a contractor working at a construction site in the Financial District, the employer may still face liability.
- Government Entities: Public employers such as city agencies, school districts, or public universities may also be held accountable for workplace violations. However, claims against government entities often involve additional procedures and shorter filing deadlines.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered in an Employment Claim?
When workplace laws are violated, employees may be entitled to financial recovery and other remedies designed to address the harm they experienced.
- Lost Wages: Employees may recover wages and benefits lost due to wrongful termination, discrimination, or wage theft, including unpaid overtime.
- Emotional Distress: Employee harassment and discrimination can cause significant emotional harm. Compensation may be awarded to address stress, anxiety, and the personal impact of unlawful workplace conduct.
- Punitive Damages: In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, courts may award punitive damages intended to punish the employer and discourage similar misconduct.
- Reinstatement and Other Remedies: In some cases, courts may order reinstatement to a former position or provide other remedies designed to restore the employee’s career and financial stability.
Why Choose the Venardi Zurada San Francisco Employment Lawyers?
Venardi Zurada is a Bay Area employment law firm with offices in Oakland and Walnut Creek. Founded by trial lawyers Mark Venardi and Martin Zurada, the firm brings decades of combined trial and litigation experience representing Californians in workplace disputes.
As the Official Sponsor of the San Francisco 49ers, the team is proud to be part of this community. We live here, we love it here, and we believe in standing up for the people who make San Francisco what it is. Our attorneys bring extensive knowledge of local courts, careful preparation, and genuine compassion for the clients we represent.
Employees who pursue legal action should not have to worry about paying for legal help while their case moves forward. That’s why Venardi Zurada represents workers on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
If you believe your workplace rights have been violated, call 833-893-6763 to schedule your free consultation with our San Francisco employment lawyers today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know if My Employer Is Violating My Rights?
What Should I Do if I Believe I’ve Been Wrongfully Terminated in San Francisco?
If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, it is important to document the circumstances surrounding the termination and preserve relevant communications or employment records. Speaking with an employment lawyer can help determine whether the termination may have violated California employment laws.
What Is the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)?
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is one of the state’s primary employment protection laws. It protects employees from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, disability, age, religion, and national origin. FEHA also allows employees to pursue legal claims when employers violate these protections.
Can I File a Lawsuit if My Employer Is Violating Labor Laws Even if I Don’t Work for a Large Company?
Yes. Many employment laws apply to small and mid-sized employers. Depending on the circumstances, employees may still be able to pursue claims involving discrimination, wage violations, harassment, or retaliation even if the company has a limited number of employees.
What Should I Do if I Believe My Employer Is Retaliating Against Me for Filing a Complaint or Lawsuit?
Save emails, messages, performance reviews, and other record-keeping documents that show the change in treatment. Report the retaliation through your employer’s internal process if possible, and speak with an employment attorney to evaluate whether additional legal action may be appropriate.
