Temporary Disability and Your Workplace ADA / FEHA Rights
Sometimes an employer might argue that because an employee’s disability is not constant in a sense that sometimes that employee experiences the symptoms that limit his abilities and sometimes he doesn’t, this means that he is not really disabled and is therefore not entitled to interactive process, reasonable accommodations and other disability rights under ADA Read More …
Avoid Showing Anger at HR When Complaining About Discrimination / Harassment
Anger rarely benefits anyone at workplace (or anywhere else for that matter). No one likes angry people and no one wants to help them. Angry people rarely get large verdicts from a jury or a judge because it’s hard to be generous with someone who show temper. This applies to testifying at a deposition or Read More …
The Right to Second Meal Period for Shifts Over Twelve Hours
California Labor Code section 512(a) generally allows an employer and employee to agree that if that employee works between ten and twelve hours in a day, the employee may waive his right to a second meal period, as long as the first meal period was not waived. This law was intended to allow employees the Read More …
The Basics of Making a First Amendment Case for Retaliation
First Amendment cases in the context of employment and wrongful termination cases are highly technical. In order to make a claim against a government employer for violation of the First Amendment, an employee must show (1) that he engaged in a protected speech; (2) that the employer took “adverse employment action”; and (3) that speech Read More …
Three Tips for Complaining About Discrimination / Harassment
It is important that you follow a three simple rules when complaining about discrimination, harassment or retaliation that you believe you or your co-workers are being subjected to: 1. Complain in writing. Oral complaints are often forgot or misunderstood. You would also be surprised how often the employer denies the very fact that an employee Read More …
When Employer Lies About The Reasons for Your Termination
It’s not uncommon for employer to change the story about why they terminated an employee. We have seen over and over how the employer would tell the employee that he is being laid off because the employer’s business needs have changed, and later – they challenge that employee’s unemployment benefits application, arguing for the first Read More …
Complaining About Discrimination / Harassment Anonymously
Although there are some benefits to complaining about discrimination, harassment, retaliation, safety violations, etc., anonymously, whether internally or by contacting an outside governmental agency, consider the significant disadvantage of complaining without using your name: even if the employer later finds out somehow that you were the one who complaint, they can take action against you, Read More …
Anti-Retaliation Laws Protecting School Employees (Teachers)
California Education Code Sections 44113(a) and 44114(c) are part of the Reporting by School Employees of Improper Governmental Activities Act. It prohibits “an employee” from using his or her official position to retaliate against “any person” to deter that person from making a disclosure protected by the Act. A “person” includes any individual. An employee Read More …