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California Employment Discrimination Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Civil Rights, Education Law and Employment Discrimination for California on
Q: Do I need to tell my HR manager at my new job about my criminal background 24 years ago.

The position is for the School district food service worker supervisor classified position. This is in California . It sounds worse than it was, and it was 24 years ago. My no contest, was changed to a not guilty, and was expunged after I completed my community service. I want to be honest with... View More

Louis George Fazzi
Louis George Fazzi
answered on Feb 10, 2025

The short answer is no, you do not have to report a crime, which was expunged about 24 years ago, to your employer.

Keep that to yourself, and good luck with your new job.

I'm sure you already knew the answer, but needed confirmation from someone with expertise. While I'm...
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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for California on
Q: WFH compny holds legal benefits till after 90 days to employee. Claims it's legal. Deposits cash only to his acct.

Company claims actions legal on workers benefits. Holds benefits till after 90 days of starting training and working. Only asks for employees Federal I.d. and valid bank account to deposit cash payments once a week. And holds 1 week back after employee starts to work. When asked about contract they... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Jan 30, 2025

Bathroom breaks do not count toward your 10 min rest break every 4 hours. The employer is required to provide paystubs showing your hours and earnings. The employer is required to reimburse for all necessary business expenses including electricity and internet if you are working remotely from the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for California on
Q: Is my employer required to put me back on the schedule after my Fmla runs out? If they don't can I be terminated.

Im not ready to go back yet, and we have a daily online schedule check and im still not scheduled so could they terminate me if they don't schedule me or contact me on return?

Louis George Fazzi
Louis George Fazzi
answered on Jan 22, 2025

The answer to your question depends on whether your physician has continued you on disability. That is a matter between you and your doctor. You should discuss this with your doctor to see if your doctor will continue your disability status and, if so, if she can provide you the necessary off work... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for California on
Q: If a Costco employee that has a worker’s compensation claim is sent home without pay because they don’t want to accommod

They won’t accommodate, is that considered termination? Her workers compensation attorney advised her to seek a labor attorney

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Dec 23, 2024

It is not as simple as your question suggests. An employer has a duty to reasonably accommodate an injured or disabled employee if there is a way to do so such that the employee can continue to perform the essential functions of the job without violating the restrictions and in a way that does not... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for California on
Q: My employer consistently pays us late and our payroll checks BOUNCE every paycheck. I was just suspended for picking up

…My check on payday. Management was out of town, couldn’t reach anyone so I picked up the checks, we still can’t cash them 4 days later and now I’m suspended for a week because per usual “there was no money in the account”. I have An obvious case right?

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Dec 9, 2024

I am going to disagree slightly with my colleagues here. If you did not have permission to take the paychecks and took them anyway, that could well be a terminatable offense. However, you and your co-workers would have meritorious claims for violation of the Labor Code for the many late and NSF... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for California on
Q: My employer consistently pays us late and our payroll checks BOUNCE every paycheck. I was just suspended for picking up

…My check on payday. Management was out of town, couldn’t reach anyone so I picked up the checks, we still can’t cash them 4 days later and now I’m suspended for a week because per usual “there was no money in the account”. I have An obvious case right?

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Dec 8, 2024

Since you were subjected to discipline, a suspension, for picking your paycheck on payday, you likely have a claim for illegal retaliation for seeking your timely payment of your wages. Your employer is not allowed to delay payment based upon case flow.

Since your employer is consistently...
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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for California on
Q: My neighbor got fired for not going to work for 3 days but he had a doctor's note so is there anything he can do
Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Nov 23, 2024

The first question is whether the employee communicated with his employer about his absence. If the illness was so severe and unexpected that it prevented communication, then the failure to notify the employer could be excused.

In California, if your employer has at least 5 employees, then...
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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for California on
Q: I was fired from walmart in Feb.2024 I feel I was terminated wrongly I know CA right to terminate I feel I was targeted

My final reason for termination was Job performance with the explanation of I left my shift early and did not tell anyone and that I was warned before. Yes I left my shift early did I tell anyone yes and I wrote on our Teaming schedule that I was leaving early like all others do and never get into... View More

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Nov 20, 2024

In California you are considered to be employed on an at will basis unless you have an agreement to the contrary about that status with your employer. The employer of an at will employer can terminate the employee at any time and for any reason or even no reason at all. Terminating you for... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for California on
Q: Can my employer force me to go on disability if they refuse my accommodations request? Do I have grounds to fight back?

I work for a multi-billion dollar, global corporation in a manufacturing facility. I was recently diagnosed with ALS and have been working from home for several months. I made a formal accommodations request for a wheelchair accessible workspace and a hybrid work schedule (2 days in office/2 days... View More

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Nov 18, 2024

Far more needs to be known about your situation before an attorney can confirm whether you are being treated unlawfully. However there are indications in your post that the employer may be violating the Fair Employment and Housing Act. For instance, you do not post about what restrictions you have... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination, Employment Law and Workers' Compensation for California on
Q: I filed retaliation termination and I got workers comp

I wanted to ask if I can still file on the retaliation cuz I was treated wrong snd I hurt myself as well but I got settlement for my injury so can I file for the retaliation still!

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Nov 9, 2024

The answer to your question will require an attorney to look at the settlement agreement in the workers compensation matter. If the scope of the workers compensation settlement was written too broadly, you might have signed away your rights to sue for unlawful retaliation. You need to locate and... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Workers' Compensation for California on
Q: I filed a claim for retaliation termination and I received works como but nothing on the wrongful termination

I just want to know if I’m suppose to file separately?

Louis George Fazzi
Louis George Fazzi
answered on Nov 9, 2024

You most likely have two distinct and separate cases, the first being the worker's compensation claim, and the second which is a civil rights claim that has to be filed within strict deadlines, called the statute of limitations, or you could end up waiving and giving up your civil rights... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Workers' Compensation for California on
Q: I filed a claim for retaliation termination and I received works como but nothing on the wrongful termination

I just want to know if I’m suppose to file separately?

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Nov 9, 2024

You say you filed a claim for retaliatory termination. However you do not indicate how or where you did such a filing. It is critically important that you immediately locate and consult with an employment law attorney with whom you can share much more detail. Depending on where you filed your... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for California on
Q: Is my former employer retaliation fair?

So I filed a wage claim about a year ago now after I left my job after 2 years which I did get a settlement for it. My former employer works with 2 different temp agencies, fast forward to this year I wanted to try and go back to work for that company. I went through the other neighboring temp... View More

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Oct 29, 2024

If you could prove that you have not been rehired because you made a wage claim, there may be a viable unlawful failure to hire case. However, more needs to be known. For instance when you settled the prior case if it was some time ago it was common for companies to include a no re-hire provision... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for California on
Q: Should I file a Whistleblower Complaint with OSHA.

I work for a non-profit organization and my Executive Director suffers with her mental health in ways that have created an extremely unhealthy work environment. The negative work culture has become so toxic that my coworker started to talk with me about how bad things are. This made my Executive... View More

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Oct 24, 2024

This is not an OSHA issue. Your best first move is to locate and consult with an experienced employment law attorney as soon as possible to explore your facts and determine your options. I would suggest you look either on this site, or go to www.cela.org, the home page for the California... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for California on
Q: are employee files private

An employee was disciplined and and asked if another employee received the same treatment. Is the employer required to disclose that?

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Oct 19, 2024

Employee discipline is considered private confidential information. Thus, it is difficult to obtain unless either: (i) the employee voluntarily discloses the information; or (ii) you file a lawsuit and obtain it through formal discovery. Note: Sometimes the information is improperly disclosed and... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for California on
Q: Is quiet quitting something that can be punished for at work?

My missed out on a promotion because while I was doing double the work and faster, the guy that sucked up to the boss while I made up for his slack got it. So I informed my new lead I'm not doing all that anymore. He would put me in a spot where I'd do two jobs while everyone else did one... View More

Bradley Mancuso
Bradley Mancuso
answered on Oct 9, 2024

When looking at adverse employment actions, like being passed over for a promotion, just remember, it is illegal for employers to make employment decisions based on "race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, reproductive health... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for California on
Q: What can be done if someone who is 30 never had a job and is in college but wants a job but no one would hire them

I mean it’s not my fault that my family told me to stay in school and now I want to make extra money but no job would hire me what can I do about this is this discrimination is this ageism prejudice etc going on what can I do about this who do I reach out to because this is not supposed to happen... View More

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Oct 4, 2024

There is no meritorious legal claim for age discrimination for those under the age of 40. Sorry. It is perfectly legal for an employer to refuse to hire you if you have no skills or experience, and even if they admit that they are hiring you because of your age, you do not have a legal claim.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for California on
Q: Can you tell me if I have a case for a situation where I work?

Took a LOA in July inquired about getting service dog at work. Told I am not classified at the postition that I've been doing for 6 years I would have to be evaluated at the position I am status as. Because of work restrictions I am unable to do the job I am status as. Corperate office is... View More

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Sep 27, 2024

More would need to be understood about your situation before someone could tell you with some level of certainty that you have a case with merit and value. However the facts you have posted about suggest unlawful conduct by the employer. Therefore it would be wise for you to locate and consult... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for California on
Q: Am I being harassment/ bullied?

Since march 2024: I’ve been in a position in my workplace where behavior towards me is increasingly making me feel uncomfortable.

Behavior includes:

Gossiping: while I’ve never heard the gossip firsthand from those who spoke of me, I have a workplace colleague who has... View More

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Sep 26, 2024

There is a big difference between behavior that should not occur and behavior that is unlawful. Note that the other answer you have received does not say the behavior you have reported is unlawful. It likely is not violative of any law.

Bullying, gossiping, cold shouldering and other rude...
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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for California on
Q: Can my employer remove me from work schedule and that reasonable accommodations for knee bursitis aren’t sustainable?

Went to work with knee bursitis and employer knew it. Allowed me to work all day and texted me after hours that I should satay home the next day as it was not wise to have me in the field or office. Was told he’d need to make a few phone calls as to how to proceed. Was not contacted until the... View More

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Sep 23, 2024

You need to go to the doctor and get a doctor's note indicating any restrictions you have on your ability to do your job and any suggested modifications to your job needed to allow you to perform the essential functions of the job. Then turn in that note. That will place a legal obligation... View More

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