A hostile work environment is characterized by pervasive toxic behavior, including offensive verbal or nonverbal actions from superiors or colleagues that create an atmosphere of discomfort, fear, intimidation, and unwelcomeness. Such an environment has a profound negative impact on employees, hampering their ability to perform their duties and even jeopardizing their physical and mental well-being. When does behavior become hostile? For such behavior to be considered hostile workplace environment harassment, it must be pervasive or severe, meaning that occasional, isolated, sporadic, or trivi ..read more

The 2020 Census revealed a significant milestone in the demographic landscape of the United States. The white population experienced stagnation between 2010 and 2020 for the first time in over two centuries. Instead, the overall population growth was driven by other racial and ethnic groups, signifying a notable shift towards a more diverse nation. As the country embraces its multicultural future, this transformation will undoubtedly have profound implications for the workforce and how businesses navigate diversity in the workplace. However, despite the progress, racism remains a lingering iss ..read more

If you feel you're facing unfair treatment at your workplace, you may be suffering from an adverse employment action. An adverse employment action refers to any change in the terms and conditions of your job that puts you in a worse position. Trivial workplace slights are not adverse employment actions for discrimination or retaliation cases. You must demonstrate that you suffered an adverse employment action to establish an employment discrimination or retaliation claim. Let's delve into what constitutes an adverse employment action under Title VII and California state law and how it's essent ..read more

A refresher on quiet quitting. Following the rise of the great resignation, a new trend called quiet quitting has emerged. Employers perceive quiet quitting as employees doing the bare minimum and avoiding going the extra mile. In reality, quiet quitting simply reflects an employee's desire to do only what they are paid for, which is reasonable. Demanding extra effort without fair compensation is unjust. The evolution of quiet quitting. As a response to quiet quitting, employers and their lawyers have coined the term "loud quitting." Employers consider loud quitting to be when employees public ..read more

The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is a state law applicable in California, designed to protect employees from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace. The FEHA law applies to both private and public employers, and it is crucial for Californian employees to understand the law to protect themselves from any form of discrimination or harassment. Here are some reasons why FEHA is important for Californian employees to understand: Protection against Discrimination FEHA is a state law that prohibits discrimination in employment based on specific protected characteristic ..read more

As an employee in California, you have the right to work in a safe and respectful environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. However, in some cases, an employer's actions may make it impossible for you to continue working for them. This is known as constructive termination, and it is illegal under California law. What is Constructive Termination? Constructive termination occurs when an employer engages in actions or behavior that make it impossible for an employee to continue working for them. Although the employee has not been formally fired, they are effectively force ..read more

When an individual in the workplace mistreats another person based on their gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, or other prohibited category in a manner that falls outside the perpetrator's job description, it can be considered workplace harassment. On the other hand, employment discrimination happens when a person differentiates treatment between employees on the basis of prohibited categories while engaging in acts that are part of the perpetrator's job description. It is important to recognize and address both workplace harassment and employment discrimination, as they can cr ..read more

What is quid pro quo sexual harassment in California? Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when sexual favors are requested or demanded in exchange for a job-related benefit or to prevent adverse employment action. How does quid pro quo sexual harassment occur? Quid pro quo sexual harassment can happen in two distinct kinds of ways When a supervisor requires the exchange of sexual favors for a job-related benefit, such as a good performance review, raise, or promotion; or When a supervisor requires the exchange of sexual favors to prevent an adverse employment action, such as a poor perform ..read more

Racial discrimination in the workplace is illegal in California, and employees have several laws that protect them from discrimination and retaliation against reporting such discrimination. Our Orange County employment lawyers protect and fight for employees who have suffered due to racial discrimination. If you are currently facing racial discrimination in the workplace, or have lost your job because of it, our firm will fight for you. Contact our Orange County employment law office today for a free consultation. What laws protect me from racial discrimination in the workplace? The California ..read more

An adverse employment action is a negative change in the terms and conditions of your job that negatively impacts you. This can include termination, reduction in benefits, demotion, or reduced opportunities for promotion. Adverse employment actions do not typically include minor workplace annoyances or slight offenses. To make a claim of employment discrimination or retaliation, you typically need to demonstrate that you have experienced an adverse employment action. How does California protect you against adverse employment actions? The state of California prohibits workplace discrimination a ..read more