Federal and state laws protect workers who require medical care and treatments. Simply put, employers must allow injured or ill employees to seek and receive medical treatment and cannot terminate them for doing so. However, a worker must be able to fulfill the basic...
Barrera & Associates, Attorneys
Explaining whistleblowing as it pertains to the workplace
Being labeled a whistleblower is not necessarily a bad thing. It is also not necessarily a good thing. Why? If you are considered a whistleblower in an employment setting you could wind up being the victim of workplace discrimination if your employer retaliates...
How employers can track your hours worked
Tracking hours worked is a task that many employees wind up having to do when it should be the employer who handles it. Why? Employers are required to track the hours worked by their employees, so they make the appropriate payments, including overtime payments to...
Be on the lookout for these signs of workplace sexual harassment
When you go to work in the morning you don't expect to be the victim of sexual harassment. The sad fact, however, is that even with laws and procedures in place to protect employees, it still happens. Sometimes, people don't even realize that what they're experiencing...
Does free speech extend to the workplace in the private sector?
You have been told you have a right to free speech your entire life. When you use it at work and it conflicts with your boss, though, you get fired. You feel like it's unfair. Is it a wrongful termination? Have they violated your rights? Is it an illegal retaliation...
How can I negotiate my severance package?
If you have reason to believe that you may have your employment terminated in the near future, it is important that you look into your work contract to understand your right to a severance package. While no-one wants to be laid off, a severance package can make a bad...
Understanding class action lawsuits for wage violations
If you believe that you have been underpaid by your employer, you may feel that you are in a David and Goliath situation, where you feel powerless to stand up to your employer. You may feel that it is not worth the financial investment and stress to take legal action...
Enforcing minimum wage rights in California
If you are a worker in California, it is likely that you will have the right to be paid the state minimum wage. There are some exceptions to having the right to minimum wage. For example, you are not subject to the minimum wage law if you are the parent, spouse or...
How to recognize disability discrimination in your workplace
Accommodating qualified employees who have disabilities is mandated by federal law, but not all workplaces go about it in the right way. These situations can lead to uncomfortable and illegal working conditions. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the...
How should I react to unwanted sexual advances at work?
When you are in the work environment, you should feel comfortable around other employees and your managers. This means that in theory, all behavior should be kept strictly professional. However, this line can become blurred, since very often friendships arise in the...