Federal and state laws protect workers in a variety of scenarios. Employees have protection based on their personal characteristics, such as their race, religion and sex. Workers also have protection when they engage in certain activities, such as attempting to...
Do employers need a reason to fire employees?
Many employers do have a valid reason to fire employees. Perhaps an employee has been missing work, or maybe they have made clear mistakes on the job. Perhaps they do not get along with their coworkers. All of these could be reasons to remove someone. But is providing...
How sexual harassment harms career development
Workplace sexual harassment can cause a variety of emotional reactions. People feel offended and anxious in many cases. Employees facing harassment may feel pressure to look for another job or may lose out on opportunities because they don’t submit to the demands of...
What are protected activities?
In California, protected activities are actions employees are allowed to take at work without facing punishment. These actions are often tied to reporting illegal behavior, standing up against discrimination or asserting workplace rights. The law is designed to make...
Denied reasonable accommodations. What next?
If your request for reasonable accommodations at work has been denied, you may feel frustrated, confused or even singled out. Accommodations are a key protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and denial can raise serious concerns. In these moments,...
Are you an employee or an independent contractor?
Understanding whether you are classified as an employee or an independent contractor is important for your rights at work. This classification affects your wages, benefits, job protections, and tax responsibilities. In some cases, companies may misclassify workers,...
What is retaliation in the workplace?
Employees have many rights in the workplace, some of which center around ensuring they can speak up when something is amiss in the workplace. This can include filing complaints about discrimination and harassment, but it can also involve ones around labor laws like...
Discrimination in a digital workplace
The shift to remote and hybrid work has transformed how most people engage with their jobs. While this flexibility has opened doors for many, it has also introduced new forms of workplace discrimination that are harder to detect. As of 2024, about 22.8% of U.S....
Are salaried workers entitled to overtime?
Many people think that salaried employees do not qualify for overtime. In California, this is not always true. Whether overtime applies depends on several factors, including job duties and salary amount. What defines an exempt employee In California, exempt employees...
How can religious discrimination be handled at work?
Religious discrimination in the workplace can create a hostile environment for employees. It involves treating someone unfairly based on their religious beliefs or practices. If you're dealing with such discrimination, it's important to understand your rights and take...