Bringing a new life into the world and into your family is an amazing experience. Many women like to have it all, including a family and a career. Thanks to laws that prevent employer discrimination, more women than ever before can enjoy professional success while...
The Rutten Law Firm, APC
Strategies to minimize potential age discrimination at work
As a California worker ages, he or she faces the risk of being pushed out by an employer. As a general rule, women are more likely to experience age discrimination than men. This is partially because of cultural perceptions that men get better with age while women...
Employers cannot insist employees be 100% healed before returning to work
Say you had a medical issue or injury, work-related or not. At some point, you may have reached out to your employer about working with some restrictions. Your supervisor might believe that certain restrictions will prevent you from performing the job as needed,...
Are You Entitled to Disability Leave During Your Pregnancy?
Every person is unique and so is their pregnancy. Some pregancies are more difficult than others. While pregnant, many women are diagnosed with a pregnancy-related disability, such as pregnancy-induced hypertension, morning sickness, or gestational diabetes. Women who...
Hiring the first lawyer in a Google search could cost you millions
An employee is injured on the job or needs medical care for a serious illness. He takes time away from work. The employer is not happy about this. Employers are never happy when a disabled employee needs an accommodation. Reasonable accommodations, though guaranteed...
Whistleblowers promote public safety and a lawful working environment
The word "whistleblowers" is often perceived with a negative connotation. Sometimes the stigma surrounding being a whistleblower prevents employees from disclosing an employer's violation of a state or federal statute. But whistleblowers shed light to wrongs and even...
Should workplace discrimination complaints be filed with the DFEH or EEOC?
In California, if an employee wishes to file a discrimination lawsuit against an employer, he or she must file charges with the California Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH) and/or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and obtain...
How to recognize sexual orientation based discrimination at work
Like many other forms of discrimination, discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal under California and federal law. The first step to preventing discrimination at work is understanding your rights. What is sexual orientation...
Do I have a case for wrongful termination?
Let's take a hypothetical example of a case to understand when you might have a case against your employer. Example: I was laid off from my job one month after I got promoted and after being with the company for 10 years. One year before my termination, there was an...
Can an employer consider prior salaries in setting pay rates?
The Ninth Circuit court in Rizo v. Yovino held recently that an employer cannot pay a female employee less than a male employee for the same work simply because the female employee made less money in a prior position. This holding changed the court's prior ruling and...