Can I Continue Working For My Employer If I Am Suing Them?
Yes, you can generally continue working for your employer while you sue them. You do not have to quit your job or be fired to take legal action. However, there are a few important things to consider, as the situation can be complex and challenging.
You may decide to file a lawsuit against your employer for a variety of reasons, whether it is unpaid wages, discrimination, or harassment. Depending on the nature of your employment claim, your working relationship with your employer might become strained or uncomfortable. It might even give rise to potential conflicts in the workplace.
California law, however, prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who engage in protected activities, including filing a lawsuit related to workplace issues. If you experience negative actions such as demotion, termination, or harassment because of your lawsuit, you may have grounds for a retaliation claim.
If you decide to continue working while your lawsuit is ongoing, it is important to document any seriously negative treatment by your employer, such as demotion, loss of pay, or termination. This documentation can be useful if you need to prove retaliation or other adverse actions later.
If you are suing your employer, you should have an experienced employment attorney guiding you through the process. The lawyer will help you understand your rights and provide advice on navigating your work situation during the lawsuit.
Suing your employer can be emotionally taxing. Typically, when the work environment becomes problematic to the extent that legal action becomes necessary, it is reasonable to assume that the worker would no longer wish to remain employed at the workplace.
Continuing to work in such a tense environment might affect your mental well-being and job performance. Be sure to consider the emotional aspects involved when deciding whether to stay employed during the lawsuit.
Sometimes, lawsuits are resolved through settlements before going to trial. Depending on the terms of the settlement, you may need to decide whether you want to continue working for the employer after the lawsuit is resolved.
Ultimately, the decision to continue working for your employer while suing them should be based on a careful evaluation of your circumstances, legal rights, and emotional well-being. If you are unsure about how to proceed, consult a San Francisco employment lawyer who can provide you with guidance tailored to your situation. Contact McCormack Law Firm today to learn more.
Other Employment Law FAQs:
- Age Discrimination FAQ
- Can I Continue Working For My Employer If I Am Suing Them?
- Class Action FAQ
- Disability and Medical Leave FAQ
- Am I entitled to leave for a serious family matter?
- Can My Employer Fire Me for Requesting Medical Leave under FMLA or CFRA?
- Do I qualify for a medical leave from work under FMLA or CFRA?
- I was recently injured and need to request an accommodation. Can my employer fire me if I make the request?
- In California, can my employer fire me because of my disability?
- Is my boss allowed to fire me while I am on leave?
- Is my employer required to accommodate my disability?
- Is there a medical exemption to vaccine work requirements?
- Is there a religious exemption to vaccine work requirements?
- My employer denied me the reasonable accommodation I requested due to “undue hardship.” What is undue hardship?
- What counts as a reasonable accommodation?
- What disabilities and conditions are protected?
- What disabilities are covered under California employment discrimination laws?
- What is a “reasonable accommodation” for disability under California employment law?
- Disability Discrimination FAQ
- Are employers allowed to ask about disabilities during job interviews?
- My employer denied my request for reasonable accommodation of my disability. What should I do?
- What is considered disability discrimination in California?
- What is the interactive process for disabled employees?
- What should I do if I have experienced disability discrimination at work?
- What types of damages can I get in a disability discrimination lawsuit?
- Discrimination & Harassment FAQ
- Are employment discrimination claims common in California?
- Are transgender workers protected under California’s employment laws?
- Can California employers ask about my criminal record?
- Can I record conversations at work to prove I experienced discrimination or harassment?
- Can my employer fire me for filing a discrimination claim?
- Can my employer fire me if I file a discrimination claim?
- What is a hostile work environment?
- What is an adverse employment action?
- What is sex stereotyping discrimination?
- What kind of proof is required for a discrimination claim?
- What should I do if my supervisor is harassing me?
- What types of compensation are available in a California employment discrimination case?
- Pregnancy Discrimination FAQ
- Sexual Harassment FAQ
- Does online harassment count as sexual harassment?
- I experienced sexual harassment outside of the workplace. Can I still file a claim?
- What are the time limits for filing a workplace sexual harassment claim?
- What is sexual harassment in California?
- What kind of evidence is required to prove sexual harassment?
- What should I do if I am experiencing sexual harassment at work?
- What types of damages can I get in a sexual harassment lawsuit?
- Why do I need a lawyer for my sexual harassment claim?
- Unpaid Wage, Overtime and Commissions FAQ
- Am I entitled to meal breaks and rest breaks if I am working remotely?
- Are computer programmers and tech workers exempt from overtime?
- Are There Specific Documents or Records Required to Prove Unpaid Commissions?
- Can an employer disclose my immigration status if I file a claim for unpaid wages?
- Can I get fired for claiming overtime pay?
- Can I Take Legal Action Against My Employer For Unpaid Commissions?
- Can my employer change my commission plan or withhold commissions?
- Can my employer fire me for filing a wage claim?
- Can My Employer Withhold Commissions If I Resign or I’m Terminated?
- Can salaried workers earn overtime in California?
- Do I still get overtime if I am a commissioned salesperson?
- Does my employer have to pay me for off-the-clock work?
- Does my employer have to reimburse me for work expenses?
- How can a lawyer help with my claim for unpaid wages?
- How can I protect myself from wage theft?
- How can I tell if I am an independent contractor?
- How do I file a claim for unpaid wages?
- How do I know if I am entitled to overtime pay?
- How do I know if my employer needs to pay me overtime?
- How is overtime pay calculated in California?
- How Long Does My Employer Have to Pay Me My Commissions After They’re Due?
- How much time do I have to file a wage claim in California?
- How much time do I have to file an overtime claim?
- If I receive a salary, am I exempt from overtime?
- If my employment is terminated, is my employer still required to pay me my commissions?
- Is my employer allowed to deduct anything from my paycheck?
- Is my employer allowed to deduct tips from my paycheck?
- Is my employer allowed to withhold my final wages after firing me?
- Is my employer required to pay for my meal break and rest breaks?
- My employer is forcing me to work through meal breaks. What should I do?
- What Are My Rights Regarding My Final Paycheck Once I Quit My Job?
- What are some examples of wage theft?
- What are the main differences between an independent contractor and an employee?
- What Are Unpaid Commissions in California?
- What is an exempt and non-exempt employee?
- What Is Not Considered A Commission?
- What is the minimum wage in California?
- What should I do if I suspect my employer is withholding wages?
- What should I do if my boss asks me to work off the clock?
- What types of damages can I get in a wage claim against my employer?
- What is the process for filing a lawsuit?
- Whistleblower & Retaliation FAQ
- Wrongful Termination FAQ
- Can I sue for wrongful termination if I was forced to quit my job?
- Can my boss fire me for complaining about workplace safety?
- How can a lawyer help me with my wrongful termination claim?
- I was fired without warning. Was I wrongfully terminated?
- If I quit my job because of intolerable conditions, do I have a case?
- Is California An “At-Will” Employment State?”
- Is my employer allowed to fire me for complaining about discrimination or harassment at work?
- Is my employer allowed to fire me for no reason?
- What should I do if I have been unfairly fired?
- What types of damages can I get in a wrongful termination lawsuit?
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This law firm was the only one to answer the phone out of the 15-20 law firms that I called that day. I had a wrongful termination case and Bryan really took the time to listen and understand what happened in my situation, and he knows the law to a T. – Shanic M.
I was owed wages and overtime and my employer refused to pay me. So I hired them to file a lawsuit. Bryan easily understood my very complicated case and I am happy with the results. – Ebi Z.
I didn’t have to pay anything, the firm took the whole risk of managing the case. Through the 14 months, Bryan always kept me updated, was very responsive and patient to questions I had. We achieved a resolution out of court in my favor, making me even happier about the experience. – Peter S.
I can honestly say that my experience with Bryan was all the way positive from day one… We had very high expectations about our case and in the end we got what we hoped for. – Roger J.
I won my trial and I got more than I expected. Everyone in the office is so nice and helpful. Even after everything was finished I could call a few weeks after and ask questions to make sure I was protected and they are more than helpful. – Husain N.
I never had to pay Bryan anything up front, nor was ever pressured to settle early. We ended up settling morning of the trial. Bryan is a really sharp, aggressive, seasoned attorney and knew the law inside and out about whistleblower cases. – Kyle B.