Half the time, you feel like you’re working with a bunch of adolescents – because the banter around the workplace is so juvenile and sexually charged. When you complain to your co-workers and your boss, you hear things like, “It was just a joke!” and, “Don’t be a poor...
Santa Barbara Employment Law Blog
Final paycheck laws in California are strict
California has many laws designed to protect employees. These laws address everything from breaks and lunch periods to overtime pay and minimum wage. Another issue that’s covered by state law is final paychecks. As part of a worker’s final paycheck, the employer has...
Why some employees can get away with harassing their boss
Most employees treat their managers with some amount of respect. Even if they don’t personally like them, they keep their feelings to themselves. They certainly don’t say disparaging things to or in front of them. It seems like that would be a quick route to...
What is workplace retaliation?
Workplace retaliation happens when a worker who engages in a protected activity faces negative employment actions by their employer because of those actions. These activities can include filing a complaint about discrimination or harassment, participating in an...
When do California employers need to pay for a worker’s breaks?
There are federal laws and California state statutes that establish the right to compensation for time worked. Hourly employees have certain legal protections entitling them to wages for the time that they work. Not only must employers pay workers consistently for all...
What are reasonable religious accommodations in the workplace?
You may hear a lot about reasonable accommodations in the workplace for disabilities, but that’s not the only situation where employers are expected to make a few minor adjustments for their employees. Religious accommodations, too, are essential to ensure that...
Is your employer responsible if a colleague harasses you online?
It used to be that if you had a difficult co-worker or boss, at least once you went home at the end of the day, you were rid of them (until the next workday). Now, they can follow you into your home and other personal spaces via social media, text and other digital...
How do I prove that I was sexually harassed at work?
As an employee, you are entitled to a safe and harassment-free workplace. And while most employers strive to make the workplace safe, incidents of sexual harassment are not uncommon. If you are a victim of sexual harassment at work, the law permits you to sue your...
What does workplace religious discrimination involve?
Freedom of religion and, therefore, protection from religious discrimination is a cornerstone of American culture. The law broadly recognizes that people should have the freedom to express and observe their faith in whatever way they deem appropriate. The First...
Are there limitations to at-will employment?
If you are an employee in California, chances are you are hired on an at-will basis. Basically, this means that your employer can terminate the employment contract for almost any reason (or no reason at all). While your employer can end the employment for almost any...