As long as you are over 21 years of age, you can legally use marijuana in California. There are certain restrictions of course. For example, you cannot use it in public places and you cannot do so while driving. But what about while at work? Your employer still gets...
Workplace Discrimination
I work in the tech industry and am over 50. Should I be worried about ageism?
The tech industry tends to get some heat about ageism. A job posting a few years ago that clearly stated “we hire old people” did not help matters. Unfortunately, there is good reason for these frustrations. Studies show that the tech industry tends to favor those...
Dress code policies and gender inclusivity in the workplace
In recent years, California has led the way in legislating and advocating for gender-inclusive workplaces. A critical aspect of this inclusivity revolves around dress codes. By establishing a gender-inclusive dress code, employers can foster a respectful and inclusive...
Can you obtain punitive damages for employment discrimination?
Workplace discrimination is so insidious that it can change the lives of victims before they know what is happening. For instance, it can cause the slow progression of depression and other psychological issues. According to a recent study, chronic discrimination may...
Tips for gender transitions in the workplace
It’s a very different world than the one you grew up in, and you’ve finally got the confidence and help that you need to live authentically – and that means eventually letting your workplace know that you’re transgender. How do you make the transition without creating...
Can you wear religious hairstyles and garb in your workplace?
The short answer is probably. Employers with at least 15 employees must generally allow religious garb and grooming practices in California. If you are concerned about discrimination based on how you practice your faith (wardrobe, hairstyle, etc.), it is time to...
3 examples of accommodations that could keep you at work
Workers with disabling medical conditions can often maintain gainful employment so long as the companies that employ them agree to offer them reasonable accommodations. Federal laws prohibit employers from discriminating against workers with disabling medical...
What is a reasonable accommodation for your disability?
California Fair Employment and Housing Act requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for workers with a disability. Yet, as every employee and every company is different, it can be hard to pin down how far this goes. Making accommodations can cost time and...
Can your employer tell you to straighten your hair?
If you are Black, you may well have come across employers who took exception to your hairstyles. They may have expressed it directly or subtly, but the message was clear: They wanted you to change your hair to conform to their standards. The problem is those standards...
Can you be discriminated against for being a young worker?
You may know that age discrimination in the workplace is prohibited. At its heart, this just means that employers are not supposed to hire or fire someone based exclusively on their age. This was done, in part, to protect older workers from being phased out of the...