Anaheim Employment Lawyers Representing Police Officers

When can police officers and sheriff’s deputies file an employment discrimination complaint in Anaheim?

At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we have 35 years of experience fighting for police officers and sheriff’s deputies. We are ready to hold the Anaheim Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department accountable if they discriminate.

The two core requirements for filing a discrimination claim are:

• You belong to a “protected class.” The California Fair Employment and Housing Act defines a protected class as identification by the following characteristics:
  • National origin/ancestry
  • Race or color
  • Sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression
  • Religion or creed
  • Age (40 and over)
  • Physical or mental disability
  • Veteran or military status
  • Genetic or medical condition
  • Marital status

The various federal discrimination laws provide similar (but not identical) protected class coverage. We can explain if you are a member of a protected class according to California or federal law.

• Your employer adversely affects your employment. Examples of these adverse conditions include:
  • Firing you
  • Denying you a promotion in favor of someone who is not in your protected class
  • Not considering your application for hire
  • Failing to provide training and assignments to advance your career
  • Reducing your pay or not giving a raise you deserve
  • Not providing reasonable workplace accommodations to do your job if you have a disability or are pregnant

When can police officers and sheriff’s deputies file a harassment claim in Anaheim?

A hostile work environment

Our Anaheim law enforcement lawyers represent members of protected classes when their employers make working at a police/sheriff’s department unbearable. Employers are responsible for workplace harassment if they reasonably should know of the harassment and fail to take steps to stop the harassment – even if the harassment is by a supervisor, coworker, or non-employee – and even if you are not the direct focus of the harassment.

A hostile environment occurs if you are offended, intimidated, or abused. Harassment includes verbal and physical conduct that is offensive, including conversations, jokes, displays, and impeding your movements.

According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, “Harassment is a form of employment discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA).”

Sexual harassment — Quid pro quo harassment

At McNicholas & McNicholas, our lawyers also represent victims of all gender identities when an employer or someone in a position of authority conditions your job, promotion, work opportunities, or other employment conditions on providing sexual advances or favors. This type of sexual harassment is known as quid pro quo harassment.

In one harassment and discrimination case, our lawyers secured $950,000 for a Los Angeles police officer when her request for medical leave resulted in harassment and discrimination.

Do you file lawsuits if my employer retaliates after I assert my employee rights?

If the Anaheim Police Department or the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responds to any actions you take to protect your employee rights or the rights of another worker – by firing you, suspending you, or taking any adverse employment against you – you do have the right to file a retaliation claim. Many employee laws specifically prohibit retaliation. Our Anaheim police employment lawyers file retaliation claims when employers (police departments and other law enforcement departments) violate these laws or violate any legal right including your right to:

• A discrimination, harassment, or retaliation claim
• A qui tam/whistleblower’s claim
• A workers’ compensation claim
• A request for family medical leave

At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, our lawyers also file retaliation claims if a police department or sheriff’s office tries to intimidate or punish you because you testify on behalf of another worker or support another worker’s legal right.

What types of employment claims do your Anaheim police employment lawyers handle?

At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, our employment lawyers handle the following types of employment claims:

• Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims. We discuss these claims above. If the Anaheim Police Department or the Orange County Sheriff’s Office judges your work based on your identity characteristics and not your job performance, call us today.
• Executive compensation claims. Our Anaheim employment lawyers represent executives and other workers with unique skills who have an employment contract when law enforcement departments fail to pay you the salary, insurance benefits, accrued vacation time, stock options, retirements, severance pay, or other benefits you deserve.
• Wage and hour loss. We fight for every dollar you earn based on federal, California, and Orange County pay laws and collective bargaining agreements.
• Termination claims. At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, our lawyers promptly file lawsuits if your employer fires you in violation of any discrimination or other employment laws, written employment agreements, or collective bargaining agreements.
• Family medical leave claims. Police officers and sheriff’s deputies who qualify have the right to request leave to care for family members with health needs or for other purposes such as welcoming a newborn or an adoptee. We file retaliation claims if your employer violates your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FLMA) or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).

Our lawyers represent employees. We also represent independent contractors and volunteers.

What California and federal laws protect police officers and other law enforcement employees in Anaheim?

Our Anaheim police and sheriff’s worker lawyers use every applicable law to fight for your employee rights. Some of these laws include:

California law:

• California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act(FEHA)
• The California False Claims Act
• The California Family Rights Act

Federal laws:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act(ADEA)
• The Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• The Equal Pay Act of 1963
• The federal False Claims Act
• The Family Medical Leave Act

How do your Anaheim law enforcement lawyers fight for the employee rights of Anaheim police officers and sheriff’s deputies?

Our employment attorneys have obtained $150 Million in recoveries for police officers and other first responders. We file claims and represent you before the following agencies and courts:

• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
• The California Civil Rights Department (CCRD)
• The Superior Court of Orange County
• The Southern Division of the Central District of California

Our lawyers will fight for you at every stage of your case, including:

• Answering your questions
• Discussing your legal rights
• Formally questioning your employer and everyone who has knowledge of your claim
• Reviewing the relevant documents that support your claim such as performance records
• Working with any financial or other experts who can support your claim
• Anticipating and responding to your employer’s defense arguments
• Negotiating with the insurance companies and your employer’s lawyers
• Arguing your case with the appropriate agencies and before judges and juries

What compensation can police and sheriff’s departments be ordered to pay if they violate my rights?

Our Anaheim police and sheriff employment lawyers seek to make you whole again. We will help you obtain compensation for the following:

• Financial damages, including lost:
  • Income (back pay) and future (front) pay
  • Health insurance
  • Executive compensation
  • Seniority
  • All other financial damages due to improper treatment
• Emotional distress and damage to your reputation
• Statutory damages
• Legal fees and court costs
• Punitive damages, if applicable

We also request that the judge assigned to your case direct your employer to reinstate you, hire you, grant a promotion, provide reasonable accommodations if you have a disability or are pregnant, and provide other employment non-financial benefits.