Workers’ Rights
Every worker — regardless of their job title, industry, or background — deserves to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect in the workplace. But the reality is that employers don’t always play by the rules, and workers who don’t know their rights are often the ones who pay the price through unpaid wages, unsafe conditions, unfair treatment, or wrongful termination. At Centurion, our workers’ rights attorneys are dedicated to standing up for employees at every level, fighting back against employers who take advantage of the people who keep their businesses running. If you believe your rights as a worker have been compromised, contact us today for a confidential consultation.
Non-Compete Agreements (California Business & Professions Code 16600)
California law prohibits non-compete agreements in employment. Under Business and Professions Code section 16600, employers generally cannot restrict you from working for a competitor, starting your own business, or practicing your profession after your job ends. Non-compete provisions are void and unenforceable in California, even if you signed them or were told they were required. Employers sometimes try to enforce these restrictions through contracts, policies, or threats, hoping workers do not know their rights. California law does not allow employers to limit your ability to earn a living this way. Attorney Ryan’s team helps workers challenge unlawful non-compete agreements and protect their right to work.
PAGA Claims
PAGA claims arise under California’s Private Attorneys General Act, which allows workers to step into the shoes of the state and enforce labor laws when employers break them. You can essentially think of it like the State of California deputizing you to help enforce its labor code. Instead of suing only for individual damages, a PAGA claim seeks civil penalties for Labor Code violations that harm employees as a group. These claims are commonly based on wage and hour violations, such as unpaid overtime, missed breaks, unpaid minimum wages, inaccurate wage statements, or off-the-clock work. Employers often violate the law in ways that affect many workers but involve small amounts per paycheck, making individual cases harder to bring. PAGA exists to address exactly that problem and to hold employers accountable for systemic violations. When successful, penalties are shared between the affected workers and the state. Attorney Ryan’s team helps workers use PAGA claims to enforce labor laws and stop widespread workplace violations.
Class Actions
Class actions allow workers with similar legal claims to band together in a single lawsuit against an employer. These cases are commonly used when an employer’s unlawful practices—such as unpaid wages, missed breaks, misclassification, or pay violations—affect many employees in the same way. Instead of each worker bringing a separate case, a class action addresses the issue collectively, making it more efficient and powerful. Class actions are especially important when individual losses are relatively small but widespread. They also help prevent employers from avoiding accountability through divide-and-conquer tactics. Attorney Ryan’s team represents workers in class actions to recover unpaid compensation and stop unlawful workplace practices affecting entire groups of employees.