California workers have a right to hold their employers accountable for providing safe workplaces that are free from harassment, threats, intimidation, hostility, and other illegal behaviors. For too long, toxic workplace cultures have been allowed to keep employees silent. Employees have demanded change, and rightfully so. Employees subjected to unlawful treatment should consult a San Jose, CA employment law attorney to discuss their legal options.
Sexual harassment in the workplace may include unwanted advances, inappropriate joking or behavior that is persistent enough to create a hostile work environment, and requests for sexual favors.Â
California has some of the most comprehensive sexual harassment laws in the country. Employers have more responsibilities for training and compliance, and a far greater variety of behaviors constitute sexual harassment. This means that California employees enjoy greater rights and legal protection regarding sexual harassment in the workplace. It is, however, important to understand these rights and enforce them when they are violated.Â
Both state and federal employment laws prohibit employers from retaliating against an employee who reports violations of employment law to federal, state, or local authorities. Retaliation can take many forms. It can be as blatant as firing the employee (who is sometimes referred to as a whistleblower,) but it does not have to be this drastic. Demotions, reduced responsibilities, pay cuts or freezes, or ineligibility for promotions can all be considered forms of retaliation under certain circumstances. Employees who believe they have experienced retaliation should discuss their circumstances with a San Jose, CA employment law attorney.
State and federal law both prohibit discrimination in the workplace. As with other employment laws, California anti-discrimination laws tend to be more comprehensive. For example, the discrimination statutes allow workers to file a gender discrimination lawsuit against a company with whom they had a venture capital relationship – either borrowing or lending – even if the plaintiff was not an official employee of the defendant. This is just one of many examples of ways in which California anti-discrimination laws are both broad and powerful.
There are many unlawful reasons for the termination of a worker’s employment, including:
These are just the protections under federal law. As with other areas of employment law, California state law offers more protection.
Many illegal behaviors are stopped because brave employees speak up and hold their employers accountable for following California employment laws. At the Law Office of Jeannette A. Vaccaro, we fight hard to defend employee’s workplace rights and know how to hold employers accountable for violating the law. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our experienced San Jose, CA employment law attorney.
Jeannette is passionate about employee rights. She fights to shed light on injustices and to help her clients move beyond troubling times. Contact Jeannette today for a free case evaluation.
Settlement achieved on behalf of an employee who was discriminated against on account of his age.
Arbitration award in race harassment and discrimination suit.
Arbitration award obtained on behalf of employee terminated on account of his national origin.
Jury verdict obtained on behalf of long-term employee in suit for unpaid wages.
Settlement for employee that was retaliated against on account of reporting discrimination.
Settlement for employee discriminated against on account of her gender and age.
Pre-litigation settlement for victim of race & national origin discrimination.
Settlement negotiated in a gender discrimination case.