When people hear “discrimination,” they often picture something loud or aggressive. However, in most workplaces, discrimination is subtle. It’s quiet, and it’s easy to miss. That doesn’t make it any less severe—or any less illegal. In California, workers are protected under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) from discrimination based on protected characteristics like race, gender, disability, age, religion, Read More

  You put in your time, do your job, and expect to get paid. There shouldn’t be any issues, right? However, many workers in California aren’t being paid correctly. Sometimes, it’s unpaid overtime. Sometimes, it’s missing bonuses. Sometimes, it’s having to wait around after clocking out to get through security checkpoints. These are all potential wage and hour violations and are more common than you think. Employees Read More

  Employees expect to be treated fairly at work, but that doesn’t always happen. Some workers are punished for speaking up about harassment, discrimination, or unsafe conditions, both that affect themselves directly or on behalf of others. Other workers are targeted after requesting reasonable accommodations for a disability or for religious beliefs. These actions aren’t just unfair—they’re illegal. California law Read More

  Employees with disabilities often encounter barriers that make it difficult to perform their jobs effectively. That's why the law requires reasonable accommodations—adjustments or modifications that allow employees with disabilities to do their jobs despite restrictions. While some employers may consider accommodations inconvenient, they foster inclusivity, productivity, and legal compliance. Without them, many Read More

  Work should be a place where you feel safe and respected. For many employees in California, however, workplace harassment shatters this basic expectation. Sexual harassment is a violation of personal dignity as much as it is a violation of the law. If you’re facing unwanted behavior at work, you don’t have to endure it silently. Knowing your rights and the steps to take gives you the tools to stand up against Read More

  Whistleblowing is essential in identifying and addressing illegal or unethical practices within organizations. However, the decision to report wrongdoing is often accompanied by the risk of retaliation from employers. Understanding the legal protections available and whistleblowers' challenges is key to ensuring accountability and workplace fairness.   What Is Whistleblowing?   Whistleblowing occurs when an Read More

  Retaliation in California’s workplaces happens when an employer takes action against an employee who is doing a legally protected activity. These activities include reporting harassment, discrimination, wage violations, unsafe working conditions, and requesting accommodations or reporting illegal practices. California’s laws, including the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the California Whistleblower Act, Read More

Disability discrimination laws protect employees with disabilities from unfair treatment. This includes workers who may need adjustments at work to perform their jobs effectively due to a disability or medical condition. Employers must make reasonable accommodations if an employee’s request is manageable and does not cause the company an undue burden. These protections come from laws like the California Fair Read More

Every employee should know the two terms: reasonable accommodation and engaging in the interactive process. Both terms refer to when an employer takes adverse employment action against an employee. Imagine that you were in a car accident (and this happened OUTSIDE of work) and severely injured your leg. We would discuss workers' compensation if you were injured on the job. But if you took a medical leave of absence Read More

To protect yourself, it is essential to understand the nature of a hostile work environment. Hostile work environments affect employee well-being and productivity. Knowing the elements of these claims helps recognize and address such issues effectively. Unwanted non-physical conduct based on sex is a serious matter that significantly impacts someone’s work life. For many people, it deeply harms their personal lives, Read More