National origin is one of the protected categories in the workplace. Both the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Civil Rights Department (CRD) prohibit discrimination against an employee based on their actual or perceived national origin,...
Pregnancy discrimination does not always mean job loss
Employees are sometimes worried about disclosing a pregnancy to their employers. They are excited to start a family, but they fear that it is going to cost them their job. Maybe they think their employer will not want to provide maternity leave or will want to replace...
Can workers file wage lawsuits over unpaid bonuses?
Wage theft is a relatively common phenomenon. Employers sometimes manipulate payroll records or lie to their workers about their rights to pay them less than they deserve. Although many wage theft lawsuits begin with a refusal to provide minimum wage or overtime pay,...
Settlement vs. trial in California wrongful termination cases
If you’re pursuing a wrongful termination claim in California, one of the biggest decisions you may face is whether to accept a settlement or take your case to trial. Each option has its benefits and tradeoffs, and understanding them can help you make an informed...
The rights to disability accommodations in California workplaces
Dealing with challenges or barriers at work because of a disability can be stressful, but California law provides strong protections to ensure employees have a fair opportunity to succeed. The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) requires employers with five or more...
How can employers create legal dress codes?
A dress code can be helpful in some business environments. A store owner may want employees to wear similar outfits so that staff members can be readily identified by customers, for example. An office manager may want employees to adhere to a certain dress code to...