Employee Rights Blog

A complete guide to California wage and hour laws covering overtime pay, minimum wage, meal and rest breaks, and what employees can do if their rights are violated.

​Losing a job creates immediate financial stress and emotional turmoil for anyone navigating the modern professional landscape. The situation becomes far more painful when the termination stems from refusing sexual advances or reporting inappropriate behavior, leading to a complex case of wrongfu...

Getting fired for reporting a hostile work environment creates a profound feeling of shock, confusion, and betrayal for any dedicated professional. You witnessed harassment or discrimination, followed established company policy to report it, and expected management to fix the underlying problem. ...

Determining the amount of a settlement for wrongful termination is a complex process. If you believe you have been unjustly fired or forced to leave due to unsafe or hostile conditions, you have the legal right to seek compensation from your former employer. However, calculating this compensation...

If you've been fired unfairly, you're probably wondering what the average wrongful termination settlement is in California. I get it. Losing your job is tough enough without the added stress of legal battles and uncertainty about your financial future. The truth is, every case is unique, and set...

Wrongful termination is said to have occurred when an individual has been fired for reasons that are illegal such as those pertaining to discrimination or harassment. In other words, an employee who has been terminated illegally, in violation of state or federal laws, can file a wrongful terminat...

So, you're leaving your job or just got the pink slip, and now it's crunch time—how do you make sure you get that last paycheck? Laws Governing Final Paychecks in California have some pretty specific rules. We'll walk through what happens if you quit versus being let go. If timing is everything, ...

Unfair treatment becomes illegal when it's based on protected characteristics like race, age, gender, or disability, or happens in retaliation for reporting discrimination. If you are currently being treated unfairly at work, it can be in your best interest to act fast. As an employment attorney...

Yes, your boss may be bullying you if their behavior is repeated, targeted, and meant to intimidate, humiliate, or undermine you at work. Here's what is surprising to many people I speak with. Bullying alone isn't always illegal under California or federal law, but it may cross over into unlawful...

Many of us put up with bad behavior and negativity in the workplace. However, there are limits set by the law when it comes to what is acceptable and what is not acceptable in the workplace. It is important to know and understand your rights when it comes to what your boss can or can't legally ...

A Right to Sue letter is a legal notice issued by a government agency like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or California's Civil Rights Department (CRD) that confirms you have completed the required administrative steps to file a lawsuit for workplace discrimination or harassme...

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...

There's a specific sinking feeling in your stomach. It happens the moment you find out your boss is talking about you to other employees. It feels like a betrayal, and it is confusing and completely unprofessional. If your boss is talking about you to other employees, start by staying calm and g...

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 ...

If you lost your job or had your hours reduced in California, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. These benefits are designed to help workers financially while they search for new employment. However, not everyone qualifies automatically. The rules can be complex, especially if you qui...

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...