California Employment Law Blog
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: A Guide for Pregnant Employees
In 2023, the U.S. Congress enacted the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), ushering in a new era of protections for pregnant employees. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) regulations interpreting the PWFA took effect in June 2024, setting clear...
The At-Will Employment Hoax: How Employers Cover Up Wrongful Termination
Introduction Almost everyone that has ever held a job has heard of “at-will employment.” If there is one employment policy that all employers make crystal clear during the hiring process, in the personnel manual, on every single form, in every single policy, and in...
Employment Lawsuit Deposition: A Guide for Employees
Introduction A deposition is an integral part of almost all lawsuits, but is particularly important in employment lawsuits alleging claims for harassment, discrimination, retaliation or wrongful termination of employment. For plaintiffs (usually the former employee...
Workplace Retaliation: Manufacturing Industry Case Study
Introduction to Workplace Retaliation Case Study Overview of Employment Law and Workplace Retaliation Employment law protects employees from unlawful treatment, including wrongful termination and workplace retaliation. Workplace retaliation occurs when an employer...
California Employee Misclassification: How Employers Steal Pay
California Employee Misclassification: How Employers Steal Your Overtime Pay In California, employers often misclassify employees as “exempt” from overtime to avoid paying overtime wages, and instead pay the employee a salary – the same amount every two weeks...
Employment Lawsuit Deposition: How to Succeed
How To Succeed in a California Employment Lawsuit Deposition Introduction After you file a lawsuit against your former employer for wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination or any other claim arising from your former employment, the lawyers engage in the...
California Wrongful Termination: How to Recognize It
California Wrongful Termination: How to Recognize It Being wrongfully terminated from your job is a serious issue that can have a significant impact on an employee's career and well-being. Understanding how to recognize California wrongful termination is crucial in...
Demand Letter: Will It Help My Lawsuit?
What is the Purpose of Sending a Demand Letter Prior to Filing a Lawsuit? After experiencing unfair treatment or wrongful termination and before filing a lawsuit in court, one of the initial steps an employee might consider in an attempt to resolve a dispute with a...
Race-based Workplace Harassment and Employer Retaliation
Workplace Harassment Ruling: Introduction to Bailey v. San Francisco DA Case A landmark case involving the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office has brought significant attention to issues of racial harassment and retaliation under the California Fair Employment...
Severance Agreement Negotiation: A Tech Industry Case Study
The purpose of this blog post is to demonstrate effective severance agreement negotiation. Read the case study below to learn more. Background: Anika Patel, a seasoned software engineer, worked for a prominent tech company in San Jose, California, for over a decade....
Fair Employment and Housing Act: How it Protects California Employees
How the FEHA Protects California Employees The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is a landmark California state law providing comprehensive protections for certain employees against employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Enforced by the...
Can My Lawyer Tell Me What My Lawsuit is Worth?
Can My Lawyer Tell Me What My Lawsuit is Worth? When you file an employment lawsuit for wrongful termination in California, it’s natural to wonder how much you might recover in damages either through a settlement or at trial. However, your employment lawyer cannot...
Disability Discrimination: How Employers Frequently Blow It With Accommodations
Introduction One of the most complicated and misunderstood concepts in California disability discrimination law arises from the intersection of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and California’s Workers’ Compensation law. Both laws generally cover...
What Should I Do If I Experience Disability Discrimination?
An employee who makes a disability discrimination claim while still employed holds a position of significant strength and protection. By raising the complaint while remaining with the company, the employee safeguards themselves against unjust termination and invokes...
California Wage Theft: A Guide to Guarding Your Paycheck
Have you been the victim of California wage theft because your employer failed to properly compensate you for your hours worked, denied you overtime pay, or violated minimum wage laws? Learn about your resources and how the Ruggles Law Firm can assist. This guide...
Workplace Harassment: What DOES NOT Qualify
It is important to differentiate between ordinary workplace disagreements and situations that qualify as illegal workplace harassment under California law. Here are some instances that generally do not qualify as illegal workplace harassment: Isolated Incidents:...
California Workplace Harassment: 5 Common Misconceptions
California Workplace harassment is an unfortunate reality that affects employees across industries, undermining their well-being, productivity, and career growth. Matt Ruggles has litigated scores of harassment lawsuits from both sides – for decades as a defense...
What Should I Do If I Experience Workplace Harassment?
To respond to workplace harassment in California, document what happened, review your employer’s reporting policies, and seek advice about your options. This guide covers internal complaints, agency charges, and possible legal action. An employee who makes a workplace...
Reporting a Disability: Do I Need to Notify My Employer?
Reporting a disability to your employer in California can raise questions about notice and reasonable accommodation. This guide explains apparent and non-apparent disabilities and the steps for notifying your employer. Whether you need to report a disability to your...
The Interactive Process: California Employers Must Comply
The “Interactive Process” defined: When it comes to accommodating and creating safe environments for disabled workers, there must be a collaborative dialogue between an employer and an employee with a disability or medical condition to identify and implement...
California Leave of Absence: Advice to Employees
California Leave of Absence Under the FEHA, reasonable accommodation may include granting a California leave of absence to allow an employee to address their disability-related needs, such as medical treatment or recovery. However, a leave of absence does not...
California Employment Discrimination: Deadlines to File a Lawsuit
Have you been the victim of California employment discrimination? If you believe that your employment rights have been violated, it's important not to wait to file a lawsuit. There are several reasons for this including statutes of limitations, making sure your...