California law makes it illegal for employers to treat workers unfairly because of pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. Nonetheless, pregnancy discrimination still happens more often than many people realize. It can range from subtle changes in treatment to obvious forms of harassment and retaliation. If you suspect your employer is treating you differently…
A significant number of Californians live with mental health conditions that can affect their work life. Conditions like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can make daily tasks harder, but that doesn’t mean you have to choose between your health and your job. State and federal laws protect workers with mental health disabilities…
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 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…
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 the laws protect women from pregnancy discrimination in California and will punish those who defy the law. In Juarez v. AutoZone, a federal jury in San…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
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….
