Los Angeles Law Firm Offers Civil Service Representation
California employment law firm represents public sector workers under merit systems throughout Southern California.
The Los Angeles County Civil Service Commission handles a variety of employment matters relating to workers from the county as well as many cities within it. This reflects the fact that government employees hold a unique place in society, because they not only serve taxpayers, but are paid by them as well. Unfairness and mistreatment that might be overlooked in the private sector is not permissible when county employees are involved. My Los Angeles firm, the Law Offices of Victor Manrique, advocates for public workers who are facing discipline, have a discrimination complaint or think that they were victimized by a violation of the rules governing civil service employment. I strive to secure compensation for employees when warranted and fight for clients’ due process rights when government employers overstep their bounds.
Discrimination protection
Discrimination claims can arise in the disciplinary setting, or in the promotion process, in accommodating medical conditions, in unfair distribution of workload, in harsher evaluation of performance as compared to others, in many settings. Discrimination is prohibited for all government workers on the basis of race, sex, age for those over 40 years old, medical condition, marital status, religion, nationoality and sometimes for personal or social characteristics or traits not related to performance. Discrimination can be shown in different treatment towards an individual or by having standards that disproportionately impact a disfavored group. A feeling of being discriminated against is a starting point but specific facts to show that the discriminatory reason is probably true requires careful investigation and presentation. In many public jurisdictions there are offices that investigate discrimination or equity complaints, prepare reports and advise performance managers on potential discipline.
A government employee may file a discrimination complaint or defend against a discrimination claim at several levels such as before offices of the public agency, or before the State of California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing, or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In order to file a lawsuit, an employee must obtain permission from either the DFEH or EEOC in addition to filing a government claim form with the agency involved. Consult competent counsel if you plan to sue an agency for discrimination
Retaliation and wrongful termination protection
If you’ve been fired from your civil service job because of political considerations, discrimination or the fact that you reported a problem, the financial effect could be devastating. Some L.A. County wrongful termination verdicts and settlements exceed $1 million in damages. Should you believe that your firing was meritless or that you were not provided due process, my firm can help. I conduct a thorough investigation in wrongful termination and retaliation cases to determine the true reason why a county worker was let go.
California Constitution and state law protection
Merit-based employment for civil service workers is guaranteed by the California Constitution. Moreover, the state’s Supreme Court ruled that a permanent civil service job (following the probationary period) is akin to property owned by the worker. Therefore, the position cannot be taken away without just cause. Government bodies are not the same as private employers, so county, city and state employees have more protections than private sector employees. Should you have a question about a suspension or a firing, a demotion or a promotion, your right to benefit under the protection of applicable law may be key to your career. I will give you a clear answer and fight for your best interests.
Contact a skillful lawyer to discuss your Los Angeles County employment matter
The Law Offices of Victor Manrique advocates on behalf of county, city and state workers in all types of employment law matters. Please call 213-487-4733 or contact me online to make an appointment, My Los Angeles office is on Wilshire Boulevard at Berendo Street in the historic Talmadge Building, 3278 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1002, Los Angeles, California 90010
