New laws to affect California workers in 2019
In California, hundreds of new laws have created big changes for workers and employers in 2019. Perhaps the most anticipated change is an increase in minimum wage, which will be $15 per hour by 2023. For companies with 26 or more employees, minimum wage will rise to $12 per hour. For those with fewer than […]
Vivant Smart Home hit with racial discrimination lawsuits
Vivant Smart Home have been sued by four former employees who allege that the company engaged in racist behavior, thus creating a hostile work environment. The lawsuits allege the same type of behavior that was alleged in similar lawsuits filed earlier in the against Vivant’s sister company, Vivant Solar. Although the companies are separate, they […]
Rights to leave for pregnant women
When it comes to taking time off work to give birth and begin raising a newborn, three primary laws impact the rights of women in California. Those are the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the state’s Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL). California Family Rights Act and Family […]
Trump administration reopens religious discrimination case
The new head of the U.S. Department of Education, Kenneth L. Marcus, has reopened a religious discrimination case against Rutgers University and is reexamining what is considered anti-Semitism. The case centers on a 2011 event held at Rutgers University that was put on by an outside organization that was accused of requiring Jewish attendees to […]
Justice Department supports Asian American students in their suit against Harvard University
The Department of Justice sided with the Asian American students who have brought an affirmative action lawsuit against Harvard University. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the students and their families sued Harvard University, alleging the prestigious college’s admission process discriminates against Asian American applicants. Because Harvard benefits from millions in […]
Employment Attorney Describes Whistleblowing Discrimination
Employees who file complaints about health and safety in the workplace, injustice, coverups of wrongdoing and criminal offenses are considered whistleblowers. Since whistleblowers are filing complaints to improve the workplace environment, they are protected from retaliation under the law. Therefore, it is illegal for an employer to fire an employee because they expressed concerns for […]
Ex-USC football coach loses wrongful termination suit against school
An arbitrator ruled against Steve Sarkisian, the former head football coach at the University of Southern California who was fired by the school in 2015. “I am disappointed in the decision, but we will respect it and move on,” said Sarkisian in a statement. The university fired Sarkisian after receiving numerous reports the coach exhibited […]
Employment Attorney Explains Pregnancy Discrimination
In California, it is illegal for an employer to fire, demote or discriminate an employee because she is pregnant. There are a range of laws that protect pregnant employees that come into effect once the worker has made the employer aware of her pregnancy. This can be done verbally, over email or in a formal […]
Ex-Stanford swimmer convicted of sexual assault loses appeal
A California appeals court ruled against Brock Turner, the former Stanford University swimmer whose sexual assault case drew national attention in 2016. A jury found Turner guilty of assaulting an intoxicated and incapacitated woman outside a fraternity party. At his sentencing, the woman read a heartbreaking statement about the ordeal she experienced. The letter went […]
Employment Attorney Discusses Disability Discrimination
Disability discrimination can occur in all employment processes, including hiring and firing. Though an employer does not have to hire a potential employee with a disability, they can not refuse to hire a qualified individual because of the disability. Disability discrimination is wrongful and should not be tolerated. If you feel that you have been […]