In California, pregnant workers are protected by two distinct laws. These laws are the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL). Although they provide essential safeguards for pregnant employees, they work differently. In light of...
Employment Law
Questions you should not ask applicants during a job interview
Federal laws protect workers from generally all types of discrimination. These protections cover all stages of employment, including the recruitment process. If you do not want to violate anti-discrimination laws when interviewing job applicants, avoiding the...
The real cost of not conducting a workplace investigation
As an employer, you are always mindful of expenses and keen to save where you can. When it comes to workplace investigations, you might find yourself hesitating due to concerns about costs and potential legal ramifications. But before you brush off the idea, let us...
How can I build a strong employer retaliation case?
The law protects employees from retaliation after they report violations in their workplace. This protection helps keep workplaces safe and free from misconduct. Employees who believe they experienced retaliation by their superiors or employers may be able to build a...
The rights of a working mother
People often find that going to work is inconvenient for different reasons. A working mother must deal with those reasons alongside her pregnancy and/or childbirth. It is only fair that the government protects working mothers and their rights to a conducive workplace....
Is it time to update your employee handbook?
If you are a medium-sized Los Angeles area business owner who wants to update your employee handbook, specifically the policies around discrimination, you might be wondering what to include and how to communicate it effectively. Discrimination is a significant issue...
Labor Department says garment workers faced wage violations
In California, some workers are prime targets for workplace violations. This could be due to being immigrants, working in jobs that involve manual labor, not having specific wage parameters and for myriad reasons. It is important for every worker to understand their...
Was the termination of your employment illegal?
Having your employment terminated can be devastating. You may be left with few or no options to earn an income in the immediate aftermath of the event and, as a result, your financial situation could be quite precarious. However, even though it may seem like your...
Check your severance agreements because they may be invalid
As layoffs have been circulating in the news recently, severance agreements have been back in the news as well. And, of course, this has brought up a lot of legal questions too. However, Santa Monica, California, business owners may have missed the February news from...
Can you be laid off while on FMLA leave?
Work is about more than money. It is about dignity. This is one reason why being laid off can feel like a personal attack. It can feel especially galling when you are laid off while on FMLA when you though your job was protected. Can you be laid off while on FMLA...