If you need to take time off of work due to family or medical reasons, you may worry that you will not be able to return to work in your same position, or even the same company. However, the Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA") provides for job-protected leave for...
Employment Law for Employees
What are the exceptions to the minimum wage law?
Minimum wage is the amount employers must pay to employees. While your hourly rate may be more, it cannot be under this wage. However, there are exceptions to the minimum wage law. The California Department of Industrial Relations explains certain categories of...
Does your employer’s dress code discriminate against you?
If your employer has a dress code in place with which you must comply, can you do anything about it if you disagree with it? Probably not, unless you can prove that the dress code discriminates against you under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or one or more...
When should companies offer severance pay?
Employers may offer severance pay to workers upon termination or involuntary loss of employment. While California does not require companies to provide severance options, business owners should know when it can be beneficial. Honoring dedicated employees with...
What constitutes reasonable accommodation?
The Americans with Disabilities Act, or "ADA", prevents employers from being able to discriminate against you based on your disability when you apply for a job. They must also provide you with reasonable accommodations that allow you to work productively and perform...
The Equal Pay Act and gender discrimination lawsuits
Employers must provide equal compensation for their employees regardless of their gender. The U.S. Department of Labor notes that the Equal Pay Act of 1963 protects the rights of men and women who perform jobs requiring substantially the same skills. Compensation may...
Wage theft violations in the California construction industry
Wage theft may happen in a variety of ways and it is important to look out for them as an employee in any industry. Sometimes it involves working while not clocked in. Other times it involves unpaid overtime. As the California Department of Industrial Relations...
Discrimination on account of genetic information is illegal
Workplace discrimination takes many forms. Some people may lose out on job privileges and promotions because an employer made decisions based on a worker’s race, skin color, sexual orientation, or age. However, there are also people who experience denial of equal...
On-the-job racial discrimination or duress may lead to a lawsuit
Employees have a legal right to work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission considers unequal treatment based on racial characteristics to be discrimination. Managers who make hiring decisions based...
What are the signs of employee age discrimination?
There are many types of employment discrimination, but one that may not receive as much attention is age discrimination. Older employees are often valuable yet overlooked in favor of younger workers who, according to the American Association of Retired Persons, may...