Employee Rights Blog

In October 2025, Netflix resolved a high-profile workplace lawsuit brought by one of its former senior legal executives, Nandini Mehta. The case involved claims of gender discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation. It was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court in 2021 a...

It's a terrible feeling, isn't it? You go to work every day, and something just feels wrong. Maybe it's a comment here, a joke there, or a sense of being treated differently. You start to wonder if what you're experiencing is actually illegal. Seeing some clear disability harassment examples can...

Under California law, specifically Senate Bill 616, employers must provide 5 days or 40 hours of paid sick leave per year, whichever is greater. This requirement applies to nearly all employees who work 30 or more days in California for the same employer. As a wage and hour lawyer in Los Angeles,...

Wage theft is sadly a common occurrence in California. Employers owe tens of thousands of workers money in unpaid wages each year. Wage theft occurs when employers deliberately pay workers below the minimum wage, don't pay them overtime wages, fail to provide them with meal or rest breaks or atte...

For those interested in the history of the California minimum wage, the California Department of Industrial Relations provides a historical perspective in table format. The minimum wage information takes us back to 1916 when the minimum wage was $0.16. According to the published information, the ...

The California Supreme Court's decision in Iloff v. LaPaille provides critical guidance for employers navigating minimum wage compliance and paid leave requirements. This ruling clarifies the threshold employers must meet to invoke the good faith defense against liquidated damages and establishes...

Dealing with a toxic boss can feel like navigating a minefield every single day. The stress follows you home, disrupts your sleep, and makes you dread Monday mornings. You're not imagining it, and you're certainly not alone. This guide will not only provide strategies for managing a difficult bo...

Your stomach drops and your heart starts pounding. The words hang in the air, heavy and sharp. Your boss just threatened to fire you, and now a thousand questions are racing through your mind. Is that even allowed? What did you do wrong? What are you going to do now? It is a frightening and isol...

As an employee in California, you may be wondering how many days you can legally work in a row without a break. While federal law does not limit the number of days in a row an employee might work, according to California Labor Code Section 551, all California employees, regardless of the field in...

California's Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) has long been a lifeline for workers seeking to hold employers accountable for Labor Code violations. By deputizing employees to stand in the shoes of the state, PAGA allows workers to enforce labor laws not just for themselves, but on behalf of a...

At Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers, we represent employees across California who have faced unpaid wages, denied breaks, retaliation, or discrimination in the workplace. A recent case illustrates just how seriously California juries take wage-and-hour rights. On September 5, 2025, the Daily Jo...

If you have been harassed or discriminated against at work, face a hostile work environment, or have been wrongfully terminated from your job, you may be wondering how to fight for your rights and hold your employer accountable. When you are looking to retain the services of an experienced and kn...

Seeing something wrong at your job can put you in a tough spot. You want to do the right thing, but you worry about your career. This fear is real, but in California, the law is on your side. Answering the question of what rights do whistleblowers have in California? reveals some of the strongest...

California's labor laws require employers to pay workers on time. Employers are also required under the law to pay wages - typically within 72 hours - to employees who resign or are terminated. When employers fail to meet these legal obligations, they are liable to pay a waiting time penalty that...

Can you be fired for social media posts? You might think your social media is your own personal space. However, a reckless post could cost you your job. This article provides a clear understanding of employee rights and employer limitations regarding social media conduct so you can navigate this ...

You felt something was wrong at work, so you spoke up. Maybe it was about unpaid wages or an unsafe condition. Now, everything feels different. Your boss is cold, your hours are cut, and you feel a target on your back. If this sounds familiar, you need to understand the answer to the question, wh...

California employers are obligated to pay the wages of an hourly employee for all time that the employee is under the control of the employer, and includes all the time the employee is suffered or permitted to work, whether or not required to do so. In Industrial Welfare Commission Orders 4 and 5...

Life isn't always predictable. Be it the birth of a child or being hampered by an illness or disability, workers in California can feel vulnerable and helpless in such situations especially with questions over finances and continued employment hovering over their heads. There are a number of ques...

In August 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a decisive blow to the GEO Group, a private operator of immigration detention centers. The court upheld a $23 million judgment requiring GEO to pay back wages to immigrant detainees and restitution to the State of Washington, rejecting ...

Understanding employment law, especially in California, can be challenging. Employees often face confusion when trying to determine the protections they are entitled to under both federal and state law. This article offers a clear and thorough comparison of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA...

It feels incredibly unfair. You work just as hard as your coworker, maybe even harder. But when you hear whispers about salary, you get a sinking feeling that you are being paid less. If this is happening because of your gender, it is not just unfair, it is illegal, thanks to the Equal Pay Act. ...

1. Case Background & Legal Claims In 2021, Disney and Lucasfilm fired actress Gina Carano from “The Mandalorian” after a series of controversial social media posts. Her posts included comparisons between the treatment of conservatives in modern America and Jews in Nazi Germany, along with remark...

That long day at work just turned into a long night. You look at the clock and realize you have been on the job for over eight hours, again. It makes you wonder if you should be getting paid more for these extra hours. Understanding the basics of the California overtime laws can feel confusing, ...

If you have just received news that you are pregnant, you may become worried about whether you will lose your job. Is it legal for your employer to fire you because you have become pregnant or if you decide to take maternity leave under California's Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)? The answer is ...

Whether you are a survivor of sexual assault or sexual harassment in the workplace, coming forward with your story can be one of the most difficult things one can do in life. A reluctance or hesitation to come forward with allegations is a common reaction from someone who has endured sexual haras...