You know that workplace discrimination and harassment based on a protected status is illegal – and California recognizes more protected classes than many states. You also know that sexual harassment is illegal. What if your boss is just plain mean? Maybe they yell and...
Employment Law
What California employers need to know about caste discrimination
California employment laws recognize more protected classes than many other states do. If some lawmakers succeed in their goal, caste will be specified in state law as well. Caste may seem like a concept from another place and time. However, some workers who were...
4 signs of workplace retaliation
Anyone working under an employer can be subjected to retaliatory actions. Retaliation is often an underhanded attempt to discriminate or harass others because an employer feels they have the right and power to do so. However, employees have protective rights against...
Safeguarding your business against employee misclassification
One critical aspect that you should never overlook as a business owner is employee misclassification. The ramifications of misclassifying employees as independent contractors can be consequential to your business, legally and financially. Therefore, it helps to take...
Can an “at-will” employee claim wrongful termination?
If you are an at-will employee, you probably understand that either party can vacate the employment contract at any time and for whatever reason, as long as such reason is lawful. Thus, if you are fired from your job, you might want to find out if the termination was...
What Californians should know about the new pay transparency law
Employees no longer have to whisper when comparing hourly wages or salaries with co-workers. Federal law prevents employers from prohibiting such discussions. As part of this movement towards greater transparency about income, some states, including California, have...
Are there limitations to at-will employment?
Most employees throughout California are more than likely classified as at-will employees. But what exactly does this mean and what are its limitations? Basically, at-will employment means that either party can terminate the employment contract for any reason...
How should you handle an employee reporting discrimination?
Despite having the best preventative measures in place, discrimination complaints still happen in the workplace. When these grievances are voiced it is important that employers conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether or not they have merit. As an...
Wage theft and overtime: How are they related?
Employees in California are protected from different elements, including wage theft. The California Labor Commissioner's Office aims to combat wage theft, ensuring residents are paid fairly. Unfortunately, some employers find tricks to get around this, especially when...
Why clear anti-harassment policies benefit everyone
Sexual harassment is not acceptable in the workplace. It’s considered a form of discrimination based on someone’s sex, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act makes that illegal in most workplaces. Yet it still happens with alarming frequency in workplaces across the...
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