Category Archives: Unlawful Retaliation

Is It Discrimination If Your Employer Fires You For Taking Time Off To Care For A Sick Family Member?
In employment law, a protected activity is something that you have the right to do without the risk that your employer will take adverse action against you because of it. Requesting family leave or medical leave is a protected activity, and so is filing a worker’s compensation claim or requesting reasonable accommodations for a… Read More »

Corporate Downsizing Or Employer Retaliation?
When you read the depressing news about tough economic conditions and mass layoffs, it is easy to worry that your job will be next on the chopping block. When a lot of people get fired in the course of your employer’s efforts to reduce its cost, you can at least commiserate and strategize about… Read More »

House Of Representatives Passes Bill To Increase Whistleblower Protections For Federal Employees
Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would prevent retaliatory investigations against federal employees who notify their supervisors of wrongdoing at their places of employment and who speak directly to Congress about such wrongdoing. All Democratic members of the House voted in favor of the bill, as did the… Read More »

California Enacts Law Prohibiting Employer Retaliation Against Employees Who Refuse To Report To Work During Emergencies
Being a responsible adult involves honoring your promises, even when you don’t feel like it. When you sign an employment contract or accept a job on an at-will employment basis, you are agreeing to be present at your worksite when scheduled to work. Employment laws and the policies of individual companies outline the situations… Read More »

The Most Common Types Of Employment Discrimination Complaints
An investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a prerequisite to filing a lawsuit against your employer for workplace discrimination, wrongful termination of employment, or employer retaliation. Even if you are able to resolve your case without going to court, it is a good idea to hire a lawyer before you initiate… Read More »

Whistleblower Alleges That Corrections Officer Used Instagram Page To Harass Coworkers
Most of the time, the First Amendment protects people’s right to post offensive content online. In fact, by now, Internet users are used to the fact that some corners of the Internet are almost the exclusive province of people who post racist, hateful, or just plain tasteless comments in enormous quantities, sometimes in pursuit… Read More »

A Decision By The California Supreme Court Just Made It Easier For Employees To Win Whistleblower Lawsuits
Federal and state employment laws prohibit employer retaliation. This means that your employer cannot fire you, demote you, or otherwise take adverse action against you to punish you for engaging in a protected activity. Some examples of protected activities include requesting a family or medical leave pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave… Read More »

Can My Employer Retaliate Against Me for Reporting a California Labor Law Code Violation?
Under California’s whistleblower protection laws, employees have a right to report labor law code violations and make wage and hour claims without facing retaliation. Despite the protections, however, many employers retaliate against employees who report labor law violations in the workplace or cooperate in investigations conducted by government or law enforcement agencies. If you… Read More »

How to Prove Unlawful Retaliation in California
Workplace retaliation is prevalent not only in California, but across the nation. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions (EEOC), employees filed nearly 40,000 retaliation claims in 2019 — more than half of all types of charges filed with the agency last year. Under California law, it is illegal for an employer to punish… Read More »