New California bill seeks to end discrimination against natural hairstyles
A recently passed bill SB 188, nicknamed the “Crown Act,” will make it illegal to discriminate against or enforce policies about natural hairstyles in the workplace, schools or housing. Such grooming rules overwhelmingly affect people of color despite being “race-neutral.” Natural hairstyles typically refer to braids, dreadlocks and twists. Anti-discrimination laws previously protected afro hairstyles, […]
Former Baldwin Park police chief wins a gender discrimination lawsuit
A former Baldwin Park Police chief was awarded $7 million by a jury in a gender discrimination case. Lili Hadsell, 63, was fired from her position as chief in 2013. She says that she was the victim of gender-based discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Hadsell was first made chief in 2008. She says that the backlash […]
California correctional officer settles gender discrimination lawsuit
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation agreed to pay a female correctional officer from the state correctional institution in Tehachapi, California $1.7 million to settle a lawsuit regarding alleged gender discrimination and workers’ compensation benefits. The woman was working as a correctional officer when she became pregnant in 2016. As the pregnancy progressed, she […]
New California labor laws employers should know
During his first year in office, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an abundance of bills into law, many of which go into effect on January 1, 2020. Every employer in California needs to be aware of these new laws and how they could affect operations. Below are some of the most significant new labor laws: […]
Riot Games to settle gender discrimination lawsuit for $10 Million
The class action lawsuit against Riot Games will soon be resolved as the Los Angeles video game developer has agreed to pay $10 million dollars to women who accused the company of gender discrimination and sexual harassment. The money will be split among the approximately 1,000 current and former female-identifying employees between November 2014 and […]
California postpones full implementation of law to protect child actors from sexual harassment
California has postponed the full implementation of AB 2338, a law that would require talent agencies to educate child actors on sexual harassment, eating disorders and other relevant topics, because of a lack of available materials. The law was signed last year by former Governor Jerry Brown and it went into effect on January 1, […]
Former associate vice chancellor at UC San Diego files discrimination lawsuit against school
A former associate vice chancellor at UC San Diego is suing the school and UC Regents for age and gender discrimination and wrongful termination. Jean Ford, former Associate Vice Chancellor for UC San Diego Health Sciences Advancement, claims that she was subjected to ongoing and abusive discrimination, harassment and retaliation from Chancellor Pradeep Khosla and […]
Glasswerks settles a class-action lawsuit over unpaid wages
A Los Angeles commercial glass company, Glasswerks, has settled a class-action lawsuit filed by current and former employees who say they were denied overtime pay and adequate break time. The company will pay out $1.3 million. The Glasswerks case was settled through private mediation. More than 1,000 employees who worked at Glasswerks between 2012 and […]
Three ways to achieve gender equality in the workplace
Despite the success of the #MeToo movement and others like it, gender inequality in businesses in the United States is rampant. Nevertheless, employers can take proactive steps in order to create a business culture that promotes gender equality and shuns hostile work environments. Executives and business owners can do many things that will allow gender […]
Goldman Sachs executive claims gender and pregnancy discrimination
Tania Merchandani, a Los Angeles based vice president at Goldman Sachs, has filed a claim against her employer that she was wrongfully fired due to her gender and pregnancy status. Two years ago, Merchandani, gave birth to her third child and took advantage of Goldman’s four-month long maternity leave. Well into her maternity leave, she […]