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...
Santa Barbara Employment Law Blog
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...
Is “quiet firing” illegal?
The concept of “quiet firing” has gained a lot of attention in the past few years. Rather than terminate an employee outright, management just treats targeted employees with so much disregard or disdain that they end up feeling pushed out. Most will eventually quit....
Can California employers alter worker timesheets?
Timesheets, also sometimes called time cards or time records, are a key component of an average employment arrangement. These documents contain information about when employees have worked so that companies can reimburse them appropriately. Hourly workers receive...
How can California employees effectively document sexual harassment?
Many people experiencing workplace sexual harassment don't stand up for themselves. They may feel that it is their word against the perpetrator's. When the person harassing someone is in a position of authority over them, there is an assumption that their workplace...