Blog
Workplace Personality Critiques vs. Discrimination
There is a quiet trend playing out in California workplaces. It does not show up in official policies or termination notices. Instead, it arrives in vague performance reviews, in backhanded compliments, and in the final conversation that ends a career. “She is not a culture fit.” “He gets defensive.” “She is too intense.” “They…
Pregnancy at Work: What California Law Says About Your Right to Reasonable Accommodations
Pregnancy is not an illness. It is not a weakness. And under California law, it is certainly not a reason to be pushed out of your job, denied support, or penalized for requesting help. Yet many pregnant employees still face confusion, fear, and workplace friction when they ask for basic accommodations. If you are…
A $185 Million Verdict Speaks Volumes: California Must Take Pregnancy Discrimination Seriously
When a jury lands a staggering $185 million punitive award against a national retailer, it is not just about one woman’s fight. It is a resounding message that California protects pregnant workers and will punish those who defy the law. In Juarez v. AutoZone, a federal jury in San Diego found that Rosario Juarez…
Fired After Getting Sick? Why That Could Be Illegal in California
A serious medical diagnosis changes everything. It alters your routines, affects your energy, and often requires doctor appointments, treatments, or lifestyle adjustments. But one thing it should not do, at least under California law, is cost you your job. Yet, for many workers across the state, that is exactly what happens. An employee informs…
The TikTok Termination: When Going Viral Gets You Fired
Zara had no idea a 15-second video would cost her a career. The San Jose-based flight attendant had wrapped up a grueling three-day trip, ending with a delayed red-eye and a crying baby in seat 11C. She recorded a lighthearted TikTok from her hotel room, venting about passenger rudeness and the chaos of flying…
Invisible Disabilities, Real Discrimination: Your Rights in the California Workplace
“You look fine. You do not seem sick. Your condition is not in the HR manual.” If you have ever heard these words or felt their sting, you are not imagining it, and under California law, you are not without protection. Myth: “If I cannot see it, it cannot be a disability.”That could not…
When Disability Meets Work: Navigating California’s Interactive Process for Accommodations
Marisol has worked at a bustling Los Angeles law firm for seven years as a legal assistant. She is serious about her job and meticulous with her responsibilities. Then came a sudden diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Fatigue and coordination issues meant that some days she struggled to meet her typical pace. She notified HR…
Fired After Reporting Harassment? Know Your Rights Under California Retaliation Laws
Imagine receiving harassment at work and hoping that reporting it will bring relief. Instead, you find yourself under scrutiny. A once supportive manager now distances themselves. You no longer receive meaningful assignments. Within weeks, your performance is questioned and a termination letter lands on your desk. Sadly, this scenario is common in California workplaces….
Justice Served: FEL Negotiates Seven-Figure Settlement in Race and Disability Discrimination Case
I’m proud to share a recent victory our firm achieved on behalf of a client who faced unjust and unlawful treatment in the workplace. We secured a seven-figure settlement in a case involving both race discrimination and disability discrimination, sending a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated under the law. Our…
Understanding California AB 2602 and Your Protection From AI Misuse at Work
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into modern employment practices, it also introduces new legal and ethical challenges, particularly around privacy and the use of digital likenesses. In response, California enacted Assembly Bill 2602 (AB 2602), effective January 1, 2025, to address these concerns head-on. The law marks a critical step in protecting…