Skip to content 
Wrongful Termination & Wage Theft
Losing your job or your hard-earned wages is a stressful and sometimes traumatic experience. If you believe you were unlawfully terminated or your wages have been improperly withheld, you may have legal rights under applicable law.
If you have experienced wrongful termination or wage-related issues, you may wish to learn more about your legal rights and potential next steps. At Lara & Luna, APC, our attorneys handle matters involving wrongful termination and wage disputes. We know how important your job and your wages are to you and your family. We work with clients to address these concerns and navigate the legal issues that may arise.
What is a Wrongful Termination?
It is illegal to terminate someone for an illegal reason, such as their race, gender, religion, disability, or age. It is also illegal to terminate someone who is a whistleblower based on their blowing the whistle.
What is Wage Theft?
All employees in California have a right to be paid the wages that they have earned. Unfortunately, sometimes employers do not make sure this happens, or they intentionally withhold wages. Wage theft is the nonpayment or underpayment of an employee’s wages.
That includes:
- Not paying an employee minimum wage or overtime wages
- Cheating workers out of hours
- Forcing workers to work off the clock
- Misclassifying workers as contractors to avoid paying full wages
- Making inappropriate deductions from a workers’ paycheck
- Refusing to provide Meal and Rest Breaks
What is Wage Theft?
- Not paying an employee minimum wage or overtime wages
- Cheating workers out of hours
- Forcing workers to work off the clock
- Misclassifying workers as contractors to avoid paying full wages
- Making inappropriate deductions from a workers’ paycheck
- Refusing to provide Meal and Rest Breaks
Understanding Your Rights
California Labor Law requires employers to act in a way that is legal, fair, and ethical. When they fail to do so or act in bad faith, they can (and should) be held accountable. If you think you have been wrongfully terminated or are a victim of wage theft, you may wish to seek legal guidance promptly. There may be time limits for filing a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), California Labor Commissioner’s Office, or other agencies.
Wage Theft is a crime, one that many employers feel confident that they can get away with committing. If you believe you are a victim of wage theft, it may be helpful to start the documentation process early. Keep a record of the time you work and compare it to your paystub, write down any rest and meal breaks refused, and overtime or off-the-clock work that you completed.
To learn more about your situation, you may wish to speak with an attorney regarding your legal options. An attorney can help clarify relevant considerations based on the facts of your case. Certain claims may be subject to filing deadlines, and guidance may help you understand applicable timelines.
Our attorneys work with clients throughout matters involving wrongful termination and wage disputes. You may contact Lara & Luna, APC to schedule a free consultation.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Outcomes may vary depending on the specific facts of each case and the applicable law.
Contact Us
Lara & Luna, APC is a law firm dedicated to representing employees in workplace matters. If you have an employment law issue, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Send a Message
Disclaimer: Submission of this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Buena Park, CA 90620
English 
Spanish 