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Qualifying for Partial Unemployment in California

Unemployment insurance offers a type of financial benefit that may be available to an employee who loses his or her job or has a reduction in pay or hours. In California, an employee may file a claim for unemployment benefits in certain situations, such as if the worker loses his or her job in a… read more

What Is Wage Theft?

Wage theft is a serious crime against employees in California. Unlawfully denying an employee’s wage rights is often a way to increase a company’s profitability. It is a wrongdoing that could lead to financial hardship for victimized workers. The Fair Labor Standards Act is the main law against wage theft in the U.S. What is… read more

Can an At-Will Employee Be Wrongfully Terminated?

It is against the law to terminate someone’s employment for an illegal reason. In at-will employment states, however, an employer needs no reason to fire a worker. While it can be more difficult for an at-will employee to win a wrongful termination case than one operating with an employment contract, it is not impossible. It… read more

4 Examples of Gender Discrimination in the Workplace

Gender discrimination, or sexual discrimination, can describe any action that targets a person because of his or her gender, sex or gender identity. This is, unfortunately, a common civil rights violation in workplaces. Gender discrimination can be subtle or blatant. It could be a slight inconvenience at work or be severe enough to create a… read more

What Is the California Equal Pay Act?

California is one of the best states in which to work. California’s employment laws are progressive and largely in favor of workers. One such law is the Equal Pay Act. This act has been part of state law for years, but has undergone several recent amendments. Lawmakers in California are always striving to reduce pay… read more

5 Steps to Filing a Sexual Harassment Claim in CA

Sexual harassment is a serious wrongdoing no employee should have to endure. Sometimes sexual harassment is part of a workplace’s culture. In other cases, one or more coworkers perpetuate harassment based on sex, gender or sexual orientation. Still other employees face sexual harassment from supervisors, bosses, employers or customers. No matter what the situation, if… read more

Can I Work Without Taking a Lunch Break in California?

Yes, employees in California can officially waive their lunch breaks, but only if they work for less than six hours. Employees who choose to work through their lunch do so somewhat more unofficially. A recent California court decision changed the duty of employers to provide lunch breaks for a full day’s work. Previously, employers had… read more

How to Prove Wrongful Termination in 3 Easy Steps

Losing your job is difficult under the best of circumstances. If you suspect your employer is guilty of wrongful termination, however, it can be even harder to accept the loss of job—and you should not have to. Wrongful termination is against the law. California employment laws protect employees from discharge due to discrimination or retaliation…. read more

Can You Be Fired for Being an Alcoholic?

Under U.S. law, certain protections exist to protect employees against discrimination. Protected categories include race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and disability. The definition of disability is not always clear, especially when growing scientific research shows that substance abuse is related to a person’s mental health. If an employee suffers from alcoholism, can the employer fire… read more

Are California Employers Required to Pay You for Jury Duty?

Jury duty is an obligation that many adults have to participate in. It is illegal to not report for jury duty without providing an acceptable excuse based on state guidelines. However, participating in jury duty can be a financial hardship for many people. If an employer refuses to pay an employee for time taken to… read more