US soldiers of Sikh faith making big changes to conformity rules

January 06, 2017


In America, both police the military wear uniforms. These serve many purposes, including making members easily identifiable and emphasizing group unity. Uniforms can also have legal importance, as they delineate between combatants who represent governments and those acting independently. Yes, uniforms are important. The question is, just how uniform do uniforms have to be? Members […]

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EEOC: Goodwill Supervisor Harassed, Discriminated and Retaliated

January 03, 2017


In an extremely troubling case, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently filed suit against Goodwill Industries of the East Bay Area and its affiliate, Calidad Industries, and a supervisor for their janitorial services contractor. In its complaint, the EEOC claims the supervisor made a habit of sexually harassing female janitorial staff, falsifying their time records, […]

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Workplace accommodations for pregnant women

December 13, 2016


Pregnancy, its effects on the body, and the various check-ups needed during the process all make work more challenging for pregnant women. Too much strain or stress during pregnancy can also cause developmental problems for the baby. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to all pregnant women, but all too often, these accommodations are […]

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Recognizing discrimination and protecting your rights

November 18, 2016


No matter how you feel about the recent election and its outcome, recent statistics have shown that the number of acts against minorities and ethnic groups has been rising. It is in situations like these where it is most important to understand your rights and what protections are offered under the law. What is discrimination? […]

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Workplace Sexual Harassment Does Not Have To Be Motivated By Sexual Desire

October 07, 2016


Workplace sexual harassment is one of most the pressing issues facing society. As a country, it is impossible to know which direction we are headed if we do not know how we got here. Back in 1991, the Supreme Court set an important precedent for workplace sexual harassment. At the time, it was widely considered […]

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How the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order Protects Workers

September 20, 2016


As an employee you strive to get to work at your scheduled time and give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. You follow all of the policies in your employee manual, and you have no blemishes in your employee record. Your employer expects it of you and most play by the same […]

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The Unruh Civil Rights Act and its Protective Veil

August 15, 2016


The Unruh Civil Rights Act is one of four statutes enforced by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), an agency of the California state government established in 1959. The overseeing DFEH protects its state residents from employment, housing and public accommodation discrimination, along with hate violence. According to a study of employee […]

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California Supreme Court: Federal Arbitration Act Preempts State Consumer Protection Statute’s Waiver Bar

August 18, 2015


This month, the California Supreme Court decided Sanchez v. Valencia Holding Co., LLC, ___ P.3d ___, 2015 WL 4605381 (2015), wherein it held that the anti-waiver provision of California’s consumer protection statute is preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”). Id. at 15. The case involved a car purchaser who filed a putative class action […]

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CFPB Report Reveals Truth About Mandatory Arbitration Clauses

March 24, 2015


Have you ever heard of a mandatory arbitration clause? You’ve probably agreed to one. In fact, if you listen to music online, use a cell phone, pay with a credit card, or work for a large employer, you’re probably bound to several at this very moment. But if you’re like most consumers and employees, a […]

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Employment Attorney Larry Organ Named to Super Lawyers for Sixth Consecutive Year

March 06, 2015


The results are in. And for the sixth year in a row, our very own Larry Organ has been named to the 2015 Northern California Super Lawyers. Every year, the Thomson Reuters organization selects “outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.” Following an […]

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