Employee Rights Blog

A pretextual firing occurs when an employer provides a fabricated or "fake" reason for termination to hide an illegal motive, such as discrimination or retaliation. While at-will employment is the norm in most states, it does not give employers a license to lie to cover up civil rights violations...

Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers announced today that it has filed a whistleblower retaliation lawsuit on behalf of Robert Pople, a former Service Technician and OSHA-authorized crane inspector, alleging that American Equipment Systems, LLC terminated his employment after he raised safety conce...

Under California law, employers are not required to provide a set amount of paid time off (PTO) or paid vacation days. But, if a company's policy dictates that the employer provide vacation time, in such cases, you have the right to the amount of vacation time that is stated in the company's poli...

You've been with your company for a while now. You have years of solid experience. But recently, you get the sense that something has shifted. Maybe you're being passed over for promotions. The cool new assignments always seem to go to the younger staff. It's a frustrating and isolating feeling,...

Updated for 2026 alifornia employers planning mass layoffs, relocations, or terminations must prepare for expanded notice requirements under the California WARN Act (Cal‑WARN) beginning January 1, 2026. These changes were enacted through Senate Bill 617 (SB 617), signed into law by Governor Gavi...

A 4/10 workweek allows California employees to work four 10-hour days instead of the traditional five 8-hour days, completing a full 40-hour workweek with an extra day off. This compressed schedule has gained popularity as workers increasingly prioritize work-life balance and employers seek flexi...

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...

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...