Workplace discrimination is a serious issue that can affect many different types of employees, yet it's often overlooked or downplayed. When discrimination goes unchecked, it creates a toxic environment where employees feel unappreciated or ostracized. This type of...
In many states, you don’t receive overtime pay unless you exceed 40 hours in a workweek, which is considered a standard full-time schedule. If an employee works 42 hours in a week, for example, they are entitled to overtime pay for just two of those hours, while the...
Employees in California have protections that aren’t present in federal labor laws. One protection that this state offers is that it requires employers to provide meal breaks for employees who meet specific requirements. Meal periods are unpaid breaks of at least 30...
Sexual harassment often occurs in the workplace. In many cases, there is an imbalance of power. For instance, a manager or supervisor may harass a lower-level employee because they are in a position of authority. However, many workers fail to report sexual harassment,...
California’s diverse and inclusive culture celebrates individuality. However, some workplace appearance policies can clash with personal expression. Employers may set standards for tattoos, piercings or hairstyles under the guise of maintaining professionalism. So,...
California has long been ahead of many other states in protecting its workers against harassment and discrimination. Now, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has published updated guidance to make it clearer than ever what sort of behavior is...
Wage violations happen frequently. Some reports claim that wage theft is more common than any other type of theft in the United States. People often think of home invasions, bank robberies or similar crimes, but most theft occurs when corporations steal wages from...
In California, repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) are recognized as a serious workplace health concern. That’s especially true in jobs requiring repetitive motions, such as typing, lifting or assembly line work. Under California and federal law, RSIs can be considered...
A pay cut can be quite a financial blow to an employee. The employer may argue that it is necessary to reduce pay, perhaps doing so for multiple employees just because the business itself has seen a reduction in revenue. But, employees are still frustrated when their...
Pregnant workers have a host of legal protections in California. These are largely outlined in the California Family Rights Act. Pregnant workers are entitled to maternity leave, on the basis that they can return to the same position afterwards. Importantly, pregnant...