Recovering unpaid commissions is a legal right under California law, but most employees don’t know where to start. When employers refuse to pay commissions that have already been earned, it’s not a misunderstanding. It’s wage theft. Matt Ruggles, a California...
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Unlock a wealth of knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of California’s employment law landscape. Our blog is a treasure trove of insightful posts authored by Matt Ruggles, exploring the latest trends, legal updates, and practical advice.
Matthew J. Ruggles
30+ Years of Employment Litigation Experience

Indirect Sexual Harassment Is Illegal in California
If you’re being sexually harassed at work, it’s easy to wonder if what you’re experiencing is “bad enough” to take action. Maybe your boss isn’t the one harassing you. Maybe it’s a coworker who makes constant inappropriate comments or a manager who pressures you to...
How Do I Ask for Unpaid Wages Without Getting Fired?
If your employer isn’t paying you correctly, whether it’s your hourly wages, overtime, commissions, bonuses, split shift premiums, or meal and rest break premiums, you may be wondering how to demand your unpaid wages without getting fired. Matt Ruggles is an...
7 Employee Mistakes That Ruin Severance Negotiations
This blog was written by Matt Ruggles, a California employment attorney with over 30 years of experience representing employees in severance negotiations across industries like technology, healthcare, and finance. Matt has helped everyone from frontline workers to...
5 Most Common Wage Violations in California
Matt Ruggles is a California employment attorney with over 30 years of experience litigating unpaid wage claims on behalf of employees. Over the course of his career, he has handled every type of wage dispute—from unpaid commissions and off-the-clock work to...
When Does Workplace Harassment Become Illegal in California?
Matt Ruggles is a California employment attorney with over 30 years of experience litigating workplace harassment cases. Matt has litigated claims under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) in courts and before administrative agencies and helped workers assert...
TWELVE ELEMENTS THAT MAKE A STRONG EMPLOYMENT LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA
By Matt Ruggles, California Employment Lawyer After more than 30 years of litigating employment law cases across California, I can now recognize certain fact patterns that differentiate a strong employment lawsuit from a weak one. I’ve represented employees (and...
How Do I Resolve a Missed Meal Period Dispute in California?
Missed meal period disputes are widespread across California workplaces. Many employers not only fail to properly compensate employees when a meal period is missed, but also create a workplace culture where missed, late, or interrupted meal periods become routine. A...
Can My Employer Force Me to Waive My Meal Period in California?
Many California employees wonder, “can my employer force me to waive my meal period?” A recent decision by the California Court of Appeal—Bradsbery v. Vicar Operating, Inc. (2025)—tackles this very question and provides important guidance. The court held that...
How Should I Respond to Being Sexually Harassed?
Sexual harassment in the workplace is wrong—plain and simple. Yet despite formal policies and growing awareness, many employees still struggle with how to respond to being sexually harassed when it happens to them. This is especially true when the misconduct comes...
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