News & Insights

California restaurants, as places of public accommodation, bear a legal duty to serve all customers equitably, which includes providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Similarly, employers in California are required to accommodate their employees’ disabilities to ensure fair and equal treatment in the workplace. When these duties are ignored, the courts often become the…

Forced arbitration has become a powerful tool for California employers to deter successful employment claims. By compelling disputes to be resolved in private arbitration rather than through public court proceedings, employers often benefit from forums perceived as more favorable to their interests. Arbitration agreements are frequently presented as standard employment contract clauses, leaving employees with…

California employers who commit systemic violations of labor laws often escape accountability because individual employees may not find it worthwhile to pursue claims. The damages suffered by each employee are often small, and the legal hurdles for a single claim can feel insurmountable. To address this imbalance, California enacted the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).…

California employment laws provide extensive protection for workers, covering everything from unlawful termination to workplace discrimination. However, some protections could be more well-known, such as those related to employee privacy rights. While cases involving wage disputes or retaliation are common, privacy violations in the workplace can also form the basis of serious legal claims. A…

California law has long been designed to protect employees from mistreatment in the workplace, especially regarding issues like sexual harassment. But despite these protections, employers have often found ways to sidestep the intent of these laws by using arbitration clauses to handle disputes outside the courtroom, generally to their advantage. Arbitration, typically a faster and…

California law offers strong protections for employees who face discrimination in the workplace based on characteristics such as race, gender, and other protected traits. Workers are shielded from being disciplined, fired, or retaliated against for raising concerns about discriminatory practices. However, it’s essential to understand that not every instance of mistreatment or workplace conflict constitutes…

California employees have the legal right to work in an environment free from discrimination based on gender. They also have the right to pursue claims against employers who retaliate for filing complaints about discrimination. Despite these protections, standing up against a hostile work environment and navigating the legal system can be an uphill battle. This…

California’s Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) protects employees from discrimination for refusing to disclose their medical information. This law is increasingly significant, particularly as it has been invoked by opponents of vaccine mandates. Individuals have attempted to use the CMIA to prevent employers from requiring them to reveal their vaccination status or comply with…

California employment law can be notoriously complex, particularly when it comes to navigating the procedural rules that govern discrimination and wrongful termination claims. Even when someone has a strong case, failing to follow the proper procedures can lead to dismissal of the case before it even gets to trial. A recent decision from a California…

In California, employees who believe they have been discriminated against or wrongfully terminated can file a claim under state law. However, employers often attempt to defend themselves by providing a nondiscriminatory reason for their actions, such as citing financial difficulties or poor performance. Human Resources departments typically play a significant role in documenting these reasons,…