As noted in an earlier post, the Supreme Court of the United States will likely be asked to review whether or not Title VII (also known as the Civil Rights Act) provides protection against workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation at the federal level. The fact that…
In 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) found bans on same-sex marriage at the state level unconstitutional. Our country’s highest court stated that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states both allow and recognize same-sex marriages. These same justices that two years earlier struck down the…
You’ve been with the same company for more than two decades. Then, just a few weeks after you turn 50, they fire you. Suddenly, the career that you assumed you’d have until you decided to retire is gone. Was it a legitimate firing, for legal reasons, or…
In 2014, the then Chief Trial Deputy in San Fransisco was fired. She says that she’d been investigating potential fraud and was fired as a retaliation, which is illegal. She filed a wrongful termination lawsuit. A jury just sided with her, saying that the city of San…
Woman who are expecting children can’t be discriminated against under U.S. law. That’s been true for decades, as the Pregnancy Discrimination Act went through in 1978. Below are a few key rights a woman has in the workplace: 1. The right to keep her job. She can’t…
California’s “at will” employment stance means that employers can fire employees at any time they please and for any reason that isn’t considered unlawful. This is an important distinction to make; being fired for an unfair reason is different than being fired for an unlawful reason. You…
In 2015, a series of ordinances became operative in San Francisco. The ordinances address hours and retention of employees, and scheduling and fair treatment of retail workers. Together, the ordinances are known as the Retail Workers’ Bill of Rights. The new laws apply to all chain stores…
In the workplace, your boss may expect you to always do as you’re told, following instructions and letting him or her lead the company. Most of the time, you do exactly that. But then something happens that makes you realize it’s time to take a stand. Maybe…
The right to free speech seems ingrained in the American DNA. But, it is not an absolute right, there are plenty of limits for the good of the public, to protect secrets, to stop libel and slander, and to ensure that employees don’t abuse their position in…
You finally landed your dream job after years of painstakingly searching for one. With such a post, you dedicate adequate time and other resources to ensure that every task is completed with satisfaction. Making a lasting impression on the minds of bosses serves as a constant reminder…
