California Employment Law Blog

A recent California Court of Appeals decision clarifies what employees must prove to establish age discrimination in disputes over retirement and benefit formulas. The case involved a public employer accused of using a disability retirement formula that allegedly disadvantaged older workers who joined the system later in their careers. While the employees brought claims under…

You do not lose your day in court just because a company hands you an arbitration form. A newly published California Court of Appeal opinion shows courts will strike one-sided agreements that tilt the playing field against workers. You can use this decision to challenge paperwork that funnels your claims into private hearings while leaving…

California just added a powerful tool to help you understand and exercise your workplace rights. The Workplace Know Your Rights Act, also known as SB 294, requires employers to give every employee a clear, stand-alone rights notice each year and at hire. You can use these notices to spot violations sooner, document problems in real…

A critical July 2025 decision from the California Court of Appeals clarifies when employees can recover attorney’s fees for whistleblower retaliation claims. In Lampkin v. County of Los Angeles, the court ruled that proving retaliation alone does not entitle an employee to legal cost recovery under Labor Code section 1102.5 if no relief was granted. This outcome…

You do not need to bring personal wage claims to pursue civil penalties under California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). A recent decision from the California Court of Appeals confirmed that an employee may drop individual Labor Code violations and still move forward with a representative PAGA action. This clarification affects how workers like you…

A recent ruling from the California Court of Appeal has confirmed that workers can still pursue claims under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), even if the specific violation they experienced occurred more than one year before filing. This decision provides necessary clarification for employees who want to bring claims for wage violations that affected…

The Supreme Court recently lifted a lower court’s block on widespread layoffs across federal agencies, including many with offices in California. This decision enables the federal government to proceed with significant staffing changes, which could affect thousands of employees in California. Although the ruling did not resolve the legal challenges against the layoffs, it removed…

A significant Supreme Court ruling in June 2025 has altered how courts address workplace discrimination claims, particularly those brought by employees from majority groups. Before this decision, employees who alleged “reverse discrimination” had to meet a higher burden just to move their case forward. That is no longer the rule. In this decision, the Court…

If you disclose a mental health condition at work, you may wonder if that information can be used against you. A recent federal case from June 2025 directly addressed this issue. An employee was removed from his safety-sensitive job after reporting that he took medication for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The employer claimed the medication…

If your employer pushes arbitration after a workplace violation, you are entitled to a process that moves forward without unnecessary delays. California law offers clear protections when companies stall or refuse to pay arbitration fees. A recent ruling from the California Court of Appeals confirms that employers cannot sidestep these responsibilities without facing legal consequences.…