Irvine Construction Labor & Employment Issues Lawyer

Irvine Construction Labor & Employment Issues Attorney

Irvine, like everywhere else in California, has frequent construction projects, including the building of Great Park. When issues arise at the worksite or among contractors, you want to enlist the help of an Irvine construction labor & employment issues lawyer.

At Engels-Janzen, we know how to support clients with every part of the legal side of construction projects. From contract formation to dispute resolution, we’re ready to use that experience to assist you.

Help With Wage and Hour Compliance

One of the most frequent issues that comes up among construction workers is wage and hour compliance. California construction labor laws help protect the rights of workers to fair compensation, and when they feel this has been violated, it’s important to deal with it promptly.

The most effective first step is to hire a construction labor & employment issues lawyer. They can walk you through the regulations you need to follow, how to resolve the situation, and your rights. While the Irvine area had over 104,000 construction workers in June 2025, an attorney can treat each case as unique.

For both workers and hiring entities, keeping track of all payment-related information is vital. Contracts, hours worked, invoices, pay stubs, and any other documents can help prove whether the relevant laws have been followed. Disputes over unpaid wages are also common, and a lack of documentation in those scenarios makes it hard to prove that proper payments were made.

When determining the proper wage and hour compliance, it’s necessary to know whether workers are independent contractors or employees. These two types of workers may receive different benefits, pay, and grievance processes, so properly categorizing workers is both required and difficult.

Many employers use the ABC test to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. They’re likely to be an independent contractor if they (A) are free from the control and direction of the hiring entity, (B) are performing a different type of work than the hiring entity typically performs, and (C) are independently established in the business or trade of the work they’re doing.

Misclassifying workers can carry both employment penalties and civil fines. If you believe you’ve been misclassified, it’s important to get help quickly to remedy that. One major difference is overtime pay. Independent contractors might not be eligible for overtime pay, whereas most employees are.

In addition to the distinction between employees and independent contractors, the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) also provides classifications for workers based on the job they’re performing. This classification determines the prevailing wage for workers and is thus equally vital. Prevailing wage amounts are used to determine the appropriate wage to offer and pay for each job, usually before workers are even invited to apply.

Covering All Your Bases

Wages and hours are only part of employment issues. Understanding other important topics is essential to protecting your rights as a worker, business, or organization. When in doubt, a construction labor lawyer can help you make sure you’re not missing anything.

Nationally, there is a shortage in the availability of construction workers, with 92% of construction firms reporting difficulty filling open positions. It might be tempting to rush a hire, but the smartest course of action is to review all the documents and ensure you’re meeting the appropriate standards.

For example, most construction projects require permits or other approvals for their work. Building codes and safety regulations must be followed, and land-use requirements must be obeyed. There is a lot of paperwork involved in construction, but each piece is necessary to protect your interests and rights.

You might also want to consider the differences between union and non-union construction workers. On average, California construction workers in unions earn 12.9% more than non-union workers. But pay is not the only difference. Unionized workers often have different benefits, bargaining and negotiation processes, and legal requirements.

Unions, non-union workers, and potential employers can all benefit from experienced legal advice, but the type of advice they each need would be different. Anyone involved in construction should also understand that both state and federal laws protect most construction workers from workplace discrimination and harassment. When proper protocols are not followed, and someone speaks out about it, they are usually protected from whistleblower retaliation.

With so many things to consider, it’s no wonder that Irvine construction labor & employment issues attorneys are so needed. The right attorney can turn a confusing legal landscape into a roadmap that aligns with your goals.

Hire a Construction Labor & Employment Issues Lawyer for Guidance

Facing California’s construction labor laws alone is daunting and can increase the likelihood of small mistakes. Instead, many people, organizations, unions, and employers prefer to get seasoned legal advice for their case.

Each case is different and requires a different approach. At Engels-Janzen, we understand that employment issues cases aren’t one-size-fits-all. We’re prepared to learn the details of your case so we can advise you on how to move forward.

Attorneys aren’t just helpful when taking legal action, although if that happens, they can represent you in hearings and other court appearances. They can also begin helping before a construction project even starts by obtaining the proper permits and ensuring you meet all the necessary requirements.

Construction projects involve many legal documents, including contracts, project labor agreements, payment documentation, and bid documents. A construction labor attorney can help prepare or review each of those documents, as well as walk you through what they mean so you’re not left in the dark.

Get Help From a Firm That Understands Construction

Before working in construction law, Chris Engels had experience as a construction worker himself. Sean Janzen has experience with many types of employment issues, including construction. Together, this team understands the practical and legal sides of construction projects and how complex they can be.

If you need help with a construction labor dispute or want to prevent one from happening, Engels-Janzen is the place for you. Schedule a consultation with us so we can find out more about your situation and let you know how we can help. You don’t have to face the complicated California labor laws alone.