Recent Blog Posts
What is National Origin Discrimination?
You probably already know that it is illegal to discriminate in the workplace based on national origin. Many people just assume this means the same thing as “race,” but they are two different things, and legally, although discriminating on both is illegal, discrimination on the basis of national origin is a separate distinct category… Read More »
Women have a Right to be Offered, and to Take, Dangerous Jobs
Let’s say that you are a woman, and you are applying for a job that may be considered dangerous-or perhaps, you are asking for a promotion within your company to a position that could be considered dangerous or risky. Your employer is concerned, and tells you that you can’t be hired or promoted to… Read More »
What You May Not Have Known About Age Discrimination in the Workplace
Are you being discriminated against at work because of your age? That may seem like an easy question to answer, given that most of us are aware that age discrimination is illegal. But there are a lot of things about age discrimination that you may not be aware of. It’s not just employers –… Read More »
Contractors and Providers Can be Liable for FEHA Violations Also
It’s one of the oldest defenses known to mankind, and one we’ve all used when we were little kids: blame someone else when something goes wrong. But as of last year, when it comes to liability under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Defendants may not be able to point the finger at… Read More »
How is Overtime Pay Calculated and When Do You Get It?
Most employers in California hopefully know that they have to, by law, pay their employees for the hours those employees work. But where most employees get into trouble is when overtime comes into play. Many employees and employers don’t understand how overtime works, or how to calculate overtime pay. How Much is Owed? The… Read More »
Costanzo Law Firm Partnering with the California/Hawaii NAACP
Costanzo Law Firm is pleased to announce that it has partnered with the California/Hawaii NAACP and will be providing legal services for this very important organization. It is particularly exciting to have joined with the NAACP during Black History Month. Civil Rights has been a fundamental objective for Lori throughout her career. She first… Read More »
Understanding Differences Between Federal and California Medical Leave Acts
Under the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), if you have a qualifying medical condition, or a family member has such a condition, you can get time off from work to take care of yourself, or your family member. The time off is generally unpaid, and there are differences between the Federal law, and… Read More »
Religious Accommodations at Work: What Does Your Employer Have to Do?
If you are an employee at work, it is illegal for your employer to discriminate against you for your religious beliefs. But in most cases, employers don’t just blatantly discriminate against people for their religion. What they are more likely to do, is to refuse to provide employees the religious accommodations employees ask for…. Read More »
Layoffs and Terminations: Is there a Difference?
The subtle differences between being fired and being laid off may not mean much to you as an employee—either way, you are out of work. But when it comes to your ability to pursue legal remedies, there is a difference. Often, to minimize legal exposure, California employers will try to say you were one… Read More »
Noncompete Agreements Aren’t Just Unenforceable: They’ll Soon be Illegal
It has long been the law in California, that noncompete agreements are not enforceable. That means that employees are free to work where they want, when they want, when their current employment ends, no matter how it ends. The limited exceptions are in the sales of businesses, where a buyer can require a seller… Read More »