Advocacy Center For Employment Law

Steven Cohn Featured on ABC7 News Segment

Earlier this month, our very own, Steven Cohn, was featured on an ABC 7 news segment discussing the solar panel company, Solyndra.

Reporter David Louie writes "Solyndra, the bankrupt solar panel company in Fremont that defaulted on a huge federal energy loan, has agreed to a multi-million dollar settlement for abruptly firing its workers last year."

He goes on to interview Mr. Cohn, in which he states that "Steven Cohn is a civil rights attorney in San Jose who specializes in employment disputes. 'Certainly in any bankruptcy, secured creditors come first. Employee wages come after that. And then somewhere in the mix, comes judgments and negotiated resolution,' he said."

You can view the full video on the Advocacy Center for Employment Law's YouTube channel. You can also read the entire interview on ABC7 News website.

Examples of Workplace Bullying

Most of us would like to think that bullying ends in high school. Unfortunately, a number of American workers are subject to workplace bullying on a daily basis.

In this video, you will get a closer look at bullying in the workplace. Workplace bullying refers to verbal comments of physical acts that are severe enough to compromise the targeted individual’s health status, strain his or her relationships, or jeopardize his or her career. Examples of workplace bullying include derogatory comments, verbal abuse, excessive demands or impossible deadlines, intimidation tactics, and public humiliation. Watch this clip to learn more.

With the current state of the job market and overall economy, the employment lawyers with the Advocacy Center For Employment Law understand that you should not have to leave a job because of workplace bullying or sexual harassment. Learn more about your legal options by contacting our San Jose law firm at (888) 703-2911. Call today for your free initial over-the-phone consultation.

How to Know If Your Employment Is Being Unfairly Threatened

The United Stated federal government enforces a number of employment laws designed to protect the health, safety, and equality of all employees—but just because guidelines are set in place does not necessarily mean your employer will follow them. Fortunately, a lawyer experienced in employment law can protect your legal rights if your employer is treating you unfairly. If you experience any of the following conditions, don’t waste any time hiring a lawyer to fight for your employment rights.

You Were Fired for an Arbitrary Reason When Your Contract Was Not Over

A number of individuals work on a contractual basis in which their wages and the amount of time they will be with the company have already been agreed upon. In the event that your employer has fired you for an arbitrary reason when your contract is not yet up, it may be time to contact your San Jose wrongful termination or discrimination lawyer.

Your Pay is Being Withheld or Deducted

Your employer can only withhold your wages or deduct from your pay when required to do so by state or federal law, when a deduction is authorized in writing by the employee to cover insurance premiums or benefit contributions, or when the deduction is being used towards health, welfare, or pension contributions.  Unlawful deductions include those for bonds, photographs, uniforms, business expenses, required medical or physical examinations, or gratuities.

Your Job Depends On Your Willingness to Participate in an Illegal Activity

One of the biggest signs that your employment is being unfairly threatened is when your job depends on your willingness to participate in some type of illegal activity. It is also unlawful for your employer to threaten your job or state that you will be fired if you do not stay quiet about an illegal activity that you are aware of but were not a participant. 

The best way to determine if your employment or ability to obtain a promotion is being unfairly threatened is to contact an experienced employment law firm. For more information on wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, or sexual harassment, contact the Advocacy Center For Employment Law at (888) 703-2911. We provide powerful and effective representation for individuals in the San Jose area. 

Famous Examples of Sexual Harassment Cases in the U.S.

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcomed sexual advance, request for sexual favor, or any other conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment in the workplace is defined in the same way but includes circumstances in which submission to such conduct is a condition of one’s employment or rejection of sexual advances would be used as the basis for employment decisions. Workplace sexual harassment also protects employees who feel that their performance has suffered as the result of a hostile environment. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most famous sexual harassment cases in the United States.

The Clarence Thomas Hearings  The Clarence Thomas hearings in 1991 opened the general public’s eyes regarding sexual harassment in the workplace after law professor Anita Hill testified that she had suffered sexual harassment by Clarence Thomas, the soon-to-be-named Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In fact, an ABC news article stated that Anita Hill lifted the veil on sexual harassment in the workplace and gave other women the strength to report similar incidents.

The Navy Tailhook Scandal One year following the Clarence Thomas hearings, Paula Puopolo complained to her boss that she was subjected to a ritual known as the “Gauntlet.” During her experience, Puopolo was ambushed by over 200 inebriated men as she walked down a hallway, at which point they began to grope, pinch, and pass her along length of the hallway. When she reported this to her boss she was simply told that’s what she gets for walking down a hallway of drunken aviators. A sexual harassment lawyer might think otherwise.

David Letterman and His Employees One of the most shocking sexual harassment cases came when one of David Letterman’s (of The Late Show) employees wrote to Vanity Fair that several of her coworkers were having affairs with Letterman and therefore getting special treatment. The employee complained that this special treatment was not only impacting her advancement opportunities but was also creating a hostile work environment.

Are you suffering from sexual harassment in the workplace? If so, the sexual harassment lawyers with the Advocacy Center For Employment Law in San Jose can help. Call (888) 703-2911 for your free initial over-the-phone consultation with one of our experienced sexual harassment lawyers.

Learn More about Employment Laws with These Links

If you enjoyed our recent articles about sexual harassment and workplace privacy laws, look through these great links to dive deeper into the topics:

• Are you wondering what employee data your supervisor can legally look at? Bright Hub published an article about an employee’s reasonable expectation of privacy.
• California Government Code section 12940 controls the ability of a wrongfully terminated employee to sue their employer for harassment.
• The last U.S. Supreme Court case on employee email privacy was in 2010. The Center for Democracy and Technology explains the high court’s ruling.
• Settling a case before it goes to trial often involves paying the victim some amount of money to drop his or her lawsuit. The American Bar Association explains the legal process of settlements.
• Your personal privacy may not be protected if you are using company email and company laptop. Read more about the logistics of email privacy at the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

Employment legal issues can vary widely, which is why legal advice is essential for both victims and employers. If you are worried about harassment or privacy violations in the workplace, contact the San Jose-based Advocacy Center for Employment Law. Our office is experienced at fighting for employee’s rights. Call (888) 703-2911 to schedule your free consultation.