Carney R. Shegerian, founder of Shegerian & Associates, a Santa Monica-based law firm specializing in employee rights, has issued a statement in light of the recession and employee concerns about their bonuses and potential increases in pay.

Shegerian advises while bonuses are generally discretionary under the law, many times both bonus pay and salary increases are agreed upon between an employer and employee at the commencement of their employment. Employees who are harassed or fired due to their requesting bonus pay or increases in their salary have viable claims against their employers that they often are unaware of.

California law has been at the forefront in protecting employees’ rights to complain about wage issues which includes bonus pay and potential increases in pay. Employees who complain about unpaid regular pay, overtime pay, bonus pay or potential increases in their standard pay cannot be terminated, demoted or harassed by their employer under California law. “The right to discuss wages is considered a fundamental right for workers that the law absolutely protects. Employees who believe that they have experienced retaliation as a result of their discussing any aspect of their compensation should know they have rights against such misconduct,” Shegerian notes.

An experienced trial attorney, Shegerian has tried many jury trials to verdict in both state and federal court, always representing individuals that have suffered financial or emotional losses and have been wronged by employers, including major corporations.

Shegerian has built a remarkable career on helping those who have been wronged in the workplace. He remains undefeated in federal jury trials and has won 14 seven figure verdicts representing employees.