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...
Employment Law
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...
The EEOC still takes sex discrimination charges seriously
It may seem like in our post-#metoo world that sex-based discrimination should be a thing of the past. Unfortunately, it seems that every month, we are reminded by another news story of bad actors who exploit their female employees. Recently, one such employer was Joe...
Part 1: Are severance packages enforceable?
We are back again in a time of massive layoffs. Unfortunately, it does not appear that these “reductions in work force” will stop any time soon, and in fact, most news sources say that they will continue. And, some tech companies that already did massive layoffs may...
What is quid pro quo sexual harassment?
Work colleagues spend a lot of time together on the job, and friendly relationships can develop. Still, some workers or supervisors take this one step to far and start to make sexual advances on other workers. This can be considered sexual harassment. What is sexual...
Should I mediate my employment dispute?
California employees have many civil rights protections available. One of these is the right to be free from discrimination. If you feel you are a victim of workplace discrimination, you can file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (“CRD”)....
Asking employment applicants about criminal history
Before hiring, many employers run a background check to see if an applicant has a criminal history. California employers should be aware of California’s so-called “ban the box” law that regulates when and how employers can run background checks. California’s ‘Ban the...
Can employers require female employees to wear makeup at work?
Some women in Santa Monica enjoy wearing makeup while others decide it is not necessary for them. Women who regularly do not wear makeup may decide not to wear it to work. Still, some employers have dress codes that include wearing makeup. Can female workers be...
Am I entitled to family leave under the FMLA?
Many employers offer their employees vacation time, sick time and personal days to take some time to focus on things outside of work. Sometimes, however, an employee will require additional time off to deal with illness or other major life changes. Employers covered...