Your civil rights shape what you can say, where you can go, how you can participate in public life and how the government must treat you. Yet many people do not understand what these rights cover until something goes wrong — a traffic stop escalates, a landlord denies...
Every state has different regulations that apply to employment relationships. California tends to have policies that prioritize worker rights. However, California is also an at-will employment state. Regulations related to at-will employment prevent companies from...
Facing workplace harassment is stressful enough. Add to that a formal investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and it becomes overwhelming. As a result, many employees hesitate to file a complaint because they are unsure of the next steps....
Sexual harassment continues to be a pervasive issue in workplaces across industries. Many organizations often pledge to support victims and build safe work environments. However, leadership structures sometimes do the opposite. Instead of promoting justice and...
In an ideal workplace, promotions are awarded based on merit, performance and potential. Employees are encouraged to grow through hard work, skill development and strategic contributions. However, in some organizations, promotions may be influenced more by personal...
Defamation is when someone makes untrue statements about another party, and these statements cause significant harm. There are two general types, known as slander and libel. Libel is used for written statements, while slander is used for spoken statements. Either way,...
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) established a federal right to take unpaid leave from work in certain circumstances. California lawmakers established a state statute that reinforces and somewhat expands on the FMLA. Under the California Family Rights Act...
Businesses often take a variety of steps to limit payroll expenses. They negotiate to pay workers the lowest amount they can justify based on the law and the market. They control workers’ schedules carefully to prevent overtime expenses. Those practices are legal....
Whistleblowers play a crucial role in exposing fraud, corruption and illegal activities within organizations, but often face serious professional consequences for their actions. When you report unlawful conduct, your employer may respond with retaliatory measures,...
Sexual harassment at work is often unspoken, but it is a prevailing issue. Most companies have policies in place, training sessions and reporting channels. Yet, a significant part of the problem hardly makes it to the surface: the fear that speaking up could make...