Who Is An Independent Contractor?
California’s AB5, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, redefines the differences between employees and independent contractors. Worker classification has become a significant issue in the last decade, as the rise of the gig economy created a unique type of employment. The new employment law applies across industries but is especially important to businesses […]
Oregon-Based Restaurant New China Sued For Sexual Harassment and Retaliation
In a lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC,) Medford, Oregon restaurant New China has been accused of violating federal anti-retaliation and discrimination laws. The lawsuit alleges that they failed to address ongoing sexual harassment and fired young employees who made complaints. A manager at New China, who is in his 50’s, was […]
Can Misclassified Workers Apply For Unemployment in California?
Yes. California has relaxed qualification guidelines so that more people who are out of work can benefit, including independent contractors, business owners and the self-employed. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program started taking applications at the end of April and will provide payments for these individuals. One of the biggest reasons unscrupulous employers try to misclassify […]
How to Apply For Unemployment Benefits in California
With so many Californians out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment claims are surging. More than a million applications for unemployment benefits have been filed in California since March 13, 2020. Workers who have been laid off or had their hours reduced because of the coronavirus may be eligible to apply for expanded […]
Two New Los Angeles Employee Rehire Ordinances Go Into Effect
Two new ordinances concerning employee right-of-rehire and worker retention went into effect on June 14, 2020 in Los Angeles. These protections are important for workers in certain industries who were laid off due to shutdowns and cutbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as many employers reopen and begin to resume more regular operations. Both ordinances […]
Black Attorney Sues ACLU of Southern California for Wrongful Termination and Discrimination
A former attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California has accused the nonprofit organization of racial discrimination and wrongful termination in a new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles in June. The black woman was fired from her position as a staff attorney at the ACLU in February 2020 after she spoke […]
Strong Advocate’s Announcement About COVID-19
A message to our valued clients, business associates, supporters and friends: At Strong Advocates, the health, safety and overall well being of our clients, business associates and the Los Angeles community as a whole is of utmost importance. Given the increasing concern surrounding the recent pandemic of COVID-19, otherwise known as the novel Coronavirus, these […]
Beverly Hills police chief facing multiple allegations of racial discrimination
At the Beverly Hills police department, accusations of discrimination and retaliation against Chief Sandra Spagnoli are mounting. The city will pay out over one million dollars in settlements to four employees in the latest of 21 total lawsuits or formal complaints against Spagnoli. In the first of the lawsuits involving Spagnoli, a retired police captain […]
UCLA accused of pregnancy discrimination, retaliation
A post-doctoral researcher at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) neurobiology department claims the university attempted to end her career by retaliating for a pregnancy discrimination complaint she made. She has reached an agreement with the university, allowing her to stay to continue her academic work. Sandra Koch was initially let go from her […]
More than 1,000 construction workers awarded millions in stolen wages
A City of Industry subcontracting company has been charged with cheating more than a thousand workers out of pay in the biggest wage-theft lawsuit ever brought against a private construction company by the state of California. Framing and drywall subcontractor RDV Contracting has been ordered to pay $11.94 million in back pay and penalties related […]
