Bakersfield Employment Lawyers Representing First Responders

What are some common employment challenges for first responders?

Emergency workers often operate under stressful conditions. But stress shouldn’t come from within your own department. Unfortunately, many first responders endure internal workplace issues that are just as harmful as the emergencies they respond to. At McNicholas & McNicholas, we commonly see cases involving the following.

Discrimination

First responders are protected from employment discrimination under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). This includes bias based on:

• Race, color, or national origin
• Gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation
• Age (40 or older)
• Disability, medical condition, or pregnancy
• Religion or creed
• Military or veteran status

Discrimination may appear in hiring, shift assignments, promotions, performance reviews, or disciplinary action. You might be denied overtime, transferred without cause, or labeled “difficult” for advocating for yourself. If this has happened to you, it may be more than unfair. It may be illegal.

Harassment

Verbal abuse, crude jokes, unwanted physical contact, and social exclusion are sadly still common in some emergency departments. These hostile work environments can be especially toxic for women, LGBTQ+ employees, and workers of color.

You don’t have to tolerate a toxic station culture. If supervisors allow or encourage harassment, or retaliate against you for reporting it, you may have legal grounds to file a claim.

Retaliation

Speaking up shouldn’t cost you your career. Yet many first responders experience retaliation for:

• Reporting misconduct
• Requesting disability accommodations
• Filing harassment complaints
• Reporting unsafe working conditions
• Using protected leave
• Whistleblowing on fraud or mismanagement

California law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who assert their legal rights. Our firm knows how to build strong retaliation claims backed by clear documentation.

Medical leave and return-to-work issues

EMTs and paramedics are at high risk for injury and burnout. When you need time off for a serious health condition or family issue, you have rights under FMLA, CFRA, and other laws. Problems we commonly see include:

• Being denied leave that you’re legally entitled to
• Being disciplined or demoted after taking time off
• Being pressured to return early
• Being denied modified duty or light-duty options
• Facing termination during or after leave

Our Bakersfield employment law attorneys can step in to protect your job and help you file a claim if your leave rights have been violated.

Disability discrimination

A back injury. PTSD. A chronic illness. These are not disqualifiers. They’re health conditions that, with reasonable accommodations, you can often work through. However, some employers use them as excuses to dismiss experienced first responders. Under California law, your employer must explore accommodations like:

• Modified equipment or duties
• Flexible or reduced hours
• Temporary job reassignment
• Leave extensions
• Remote work for eligible roles (such as dispatch)

If your request was ignored or you were forced out instead, you may have a case for disability discrimination.