California Employment Law Blog

When California employment law claims proceed through trial and are put before a jury, the initial verdict amounts may be subject to modification by the judge based on legal requirements. Often, a jury will agree to award a plaintiff an amount that is prohibited by law. Trial courts have the discretion to reduce jury awards…

California workers who have been subject to unfair or illegal employment practices by their employers may have several different routes to fight back against unfair treatment by employers. In addition to state legal remedies, such as a breach of contract claim, wronged employees can pursue federal legal and administrative remedies through federal courts or the…

The United States Supreme Court is set to address whether emotional distress damages are available to those who prove disability discrimination under federal law. Disability discrimination can impact a person and their family in a myriad of ways. While a financial loss is the most apparent, emotional distress can have a life-changing impact on a…

California employment laws afford workers a variety of protections and legal rights. One of the most essential rights employees have is the right to litigate certain claims against their employer. The main alternative to court for resolving a dispute between an employee and an employer is arbitration. Arbitration uses a supposedly neutral third party to…

Given the growth of the “gig economy” in recent years, a growing number of companies are relying less on employees and more on independent contractors. While hiring independent contractors affords companies and individuals greater flexibility, it also opens the door to potential abuses by employers. Employees Versus Independent Contractors Historically, most companies hired employees to…

Although arbitration agreements mean that a case must be resolved through arbitration, not all agreements are enforceable. If a party does not have a real opportunity to negotiate the terms of the contract or a contract heavily favors one party, these may be indications that the agreement is unconscionable and thus, unenforceable. A California court…

The Court of Appeals of California recently issued an opinion addressing several employment claims, including whether a union may be responsible for aiding and abetting discrimination. The plaintiff in this matter filed a wrongful termination case against his employer, a janitorial services company, and the union that represents the employer. The relevant issue on appeal…

California’s anti-SLAPP statute refers to the Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. Lawmakers designed the statute to protect those who wish to speak out about public policy issues against more powerful corporate entities. In California, the term primarily refers to lawsuits stemming from discouraging speech about significant issues or public participation in governmental proceedings. While the…

An alarming decision from a California appeals court highlights the importance of reviewing any paperwork related to a potential employment claim. In that case, an employee filed a California employment lawsuit against her employers in April 2019. While the case was pending, in December 2019, the employers allegedly told the employee to sign some paperwork…

Recently the Court of Appeals issued a decision in a California employment discrimination case involving several claims, including pregnancy-related and sex discrimination. The plaintiff asserts that her employer, a dental group, terminated her position because she attempted to become pregnant. In response, the defendant argued that the decision did not stem from discrimination. Instead, the…