December 13, 2019
California is an amazing state to visit, and boasts tourism as a major industry. Every year, millions of people flock to the Golden State to experience Hollywood, see the Pacific Ocean, oogle the Redwood trees, and enjoy some fantastic skiing. In 2017 alone, travel spending in California reached an astounding $126.3 billion. People come to California for vacation, for adventure, for celebrations, and to get married. More than a million employees support this massive tourism industry, which has been growing every year.
Obviously, tourism is incredible for the California economy…but is it good for California workers?
Unfortunately, the tourism industry is rife with worker exploitation. Seasonal work lends itself to the misclassification of employees as contractors, and more often than not tourism workers are not paid proper overtime. Undocumented immigrants can often find quick work in the toursim industry, but nefarious employers may use their status as an excuse to not pay them properly for their labor. Overall, the tourism industry is a double-edged sword in the state of California.
The only way to fight back against tourism worker exploitation is to hold tourism companies accountable. All California employees enjoy protected rights under state law regardless of their immigration status, and everyone is protected against workplace harassment and discrimination. In order to stop the abhorrent business practices of tourism companies that take advantage of their employees, employees need to speak up for their rights.
If you or someone you know is being exploited in their tourism job, then call us for representation and support. We have a strong understanding of employment law within the tourism industry, and we can help fight for the rights and compensation you deserve. Exploitation is wrong at every level, but in order to address such a systemic issue, we will need brave individuals to stand up and demand fair treatment. We urge anyone facing unfair employment conditions to contact us urgently. We can help. We want to help.
