Los Angeles Employment Laws

Employment lawyers at Felahy & Associates in Long Beach and Los Angeles help you understand California employment law and the impact it may have on your litigation case.

Discrimination

In California, most employment discrimination cases are pursued under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), rather than Title VII, because it provides greater protection to employees against discrimination than federal law. FEHA prohibits employment discrimination based on race or color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex or sexual orientation, age, or pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

Whistle Blower Protection

California employees cannot be disciplined, demoted, or discharged for disclosing information about their employers regarding violations or noncompliance with the law. Under FEHA employees are protected from retaliation for filing a complaint or testifying against their employers and the Act provides for unlimited compensatory and punitive damages.

Medical Leave

The provisions of the California Family Rights Act are similar to those of the FMLA and claims can be brought under either or both Acts. Most workers will be entitled to take medical leave for themselves or to care for a family member and cannot be fired or retaliated against for exercising their right to such leave. Employees whose rights have been violated under the CFRA may sue for damages and reimbursement of their attorney fees.

The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) under the California Department of Industrial Relations protects both employers and employees by enforcing compliance with minimum labor standards. Its stated mission is to “vigorously enforce minimum labor standards in order to ensure employees are not required or permitted to work under substandard unlawful conditions and to protect employers who comply with the law from those who attempt to gain competitive advantage at the expense of their workers by failing to comply with minimum labor standards.” As part of this duty, DLSE investigates discrimination complaints, adjudicates wage and unemployment insurance claims and handles licensing for farm labor contractors and other workers.

Felahy & Associates can be reached at 888.701.5124 if you would like additional information about California employment laws. Feel free to email or call us.