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Mailing Address
11271 Ventura Blvd.
Suite 473
Studio City, CA 91604
Phone: 877-479-7970
Fax: 888-509-8864
Woodland Hills
Warner Center Towers
Phone: 818-581-2175
Fax: 888-509-8864
Century City
Phone: 310-439-8413
Fax: 888-509-8864
Newport Beach
Fashion Island
Phone: 949-209-9736
Fax: 888-509-8864
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Call Us at 877-479-7970 | or Contact Us at info@law-thomas.com
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Employment Law
The Law Offices of Thomas & Associates represent clients in all phases and types of employment litigation, counseling, training and collective bargaining.

For Our Corporate Clients; Executives; and Business Owners
We work hard to ensure that sound policies are employed to prevent litigation and reduce exposure to our clients. We strive to ensure that our clients have the tools to implement effective policies, and training. In developing policies and procedures, we work closely with our clients' General Counsel, Management, and Human Resource Department, as well as their insurers, consultants and experts.

For Our Employee Clients
We work hard to ensure that you have been treated as fairly as the law allows. We strive to ensure that your best interests are kept in mind regardless of employment status with your company.

What We Do
We have extensive experience in handling various stages of employment litigation. This includes handling matters before various administrative bodies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Boards, various unemployment agencies, OSHA (and its state equivalents), the labor board and commission, and other government agencies concerned with employment law and regulations.
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The Employment Overview
When hiring a new employee or being hired an employer and employee must be aware of all of the relevant state and federal laws that govern the hiring, compensation, treatment, and termination of all employees. For example, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) forbids the use of race, color, national origin, religion, and sex in all hiring, employment and termination decisions. Also, an employer must follow federal laws concerning documentation and preservation of that documentation.
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New Hires
An employer must take a number of steps before hiring employees. For example, the employer must obtain an employer identification number through the Internal Revenue Service, set up a system to hold the requisite income taxes from employee wages, notify the state administrative agency in charge of labor, and purchase workers' compensation insurance.
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Compensation
Federal and state employment laws concerning wages and overtime are complex and impose significant responsibility on employers. If your business has employees, it may be in your best interests to retain an experienced and skilled employment law attorney to ensure that you are in compliance with the requisite laws.
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Leave
Many employees find themselves having to take time off from work to deal with family medical issues. The law that applies to this type of leave is The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
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Termination
"At-will" employment is the most common form of employment throughout the United States. Being an “at-will” employee means that an employee can be fired at any time and for any reason as long as the reason is legal. At the same time, an employee can leave the job at any time for any reason. According to state law, most employment that is not governed by an employment contract is presumed to be “at-will”.
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Contact us at 877-479-7970, or e-mail us at info@law-thomas.com, to arrange for a confidential complimentary consultation on your employment law needs.
FAQ's
Q: How do I find out if a(n) (potential) employee is legally permitted to work in the United States?
A: Before hiring a new employee the federal government requires that the (potential) employee fill out an I-9 form. This form asks for proof of eligibility to legally work in the United States. This form does not have to be turned into the federal government but must be kept on file for at least three years and be open to inquiry by government officials.

Q: Is disability an acceptable reason for refusing to hire a person?
A: This is only an acceptable reason if the disability will prevent the employee from performing an essential function of the job. However, if there can be a reasonable accommodation made that will permit the disabled applicant to perform the essential task, the accommodation must be made.

Q: Is disability an acceptable reason for refusing to hire a person?
A: This is only an acceptable reason if the disability will prevent the employee from performing an essential function of the job. However, if there can be a reasonable accommodation made that will permit the disabled applicant to perform the essential task, the accommodation must be made.

Q: Do I have to give reasons for not hiring someone?
A: No. A reason does not have to be given for not hiring an employee. But caution should be taken if there is the possibility that an illegal decision was made.

Q: How much do I have to pay my employees?
A: Compensation depends on the employee. Generally, if the employee is not in an executive, professional, or supervisory role, you would have to pay the individual at least minimum wage (state or federal, which ever is higher). Keep in mind also that some industries and other categories of employees may fall under certain minimum wage exemptions.

Q: Can I fire an employee for any reason?
A: The answer to this question depends on the state and the type of job the employee holds. Most states have what is called "at-will" employment. This means that the employee can be fired at any time for any legal reason. Some jobs are covered by contract in which case a legitimate reason would have to be offered for termination.

Resources
This site features all of the federal government information of employment practices and laws regarding such things as wages and hiring. This site also provides links to state law documents.

This site provides an overview of laws within the scope of the EEOC. These laws include Title VII of the Civil rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. The site also features a short question and answer section.

Official United States Government Website - The official U.S. government website provides both general information and also access to online forms for use by an employer. Links to the IRS and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service are provided.

Legal Information Institute - This site provides general legal information about employment law. The site also provides information on specific employment related subjects such as pensions and workers' compensation.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration - This site provides detailed information on safety standards that have to be followed in most industries. This link is both employee and employer centered.