Employment law and consumer protection, explained by the attorneys who litigate it. Straight answers on your rights at work and in the marketplace.
Employment Law
Uber has been in the news recently due to allegations that the company misclassifies its drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. What you may not know is that employee misclassification is serious issue affecting workers in nearly every industry throughout California and beyond - and it could be affecting you. Do you fall into […]
Employment Law
A common defense to workplace sexual harassment claims is consent. In other words, an accused supervisor may say that the plaintiff welcomed his or her sexual comments or advances, or that the two parties engaged in a sexual relationship. Whether the defendant’s conduct was welcome to the plaintiff or not may become a key point […]
Employment Law
It has been more than two months since we discussed the outcome of a woman’s employment discrimination lawsuit against preppy clothing chain Abercrombie & Fitch. As a reminder, the woman was not hired as a salesperson because managers decided that her Muslim headscarf, known as a hijab, was not acceptable attire. The woman prevailed in […]
Consumer Rights
If you are living in Los Angeles and struggling with credit card debt, you are not alone. In fact, millions of people nationwide find themselves carrying a balance on their credit cards from month to month. But L.A. is among the cities with the highest individual debt, on average, according to TheStreet. That website put […]
Employment Law
Late in May, we discussed allegations that Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson sexually harassed an employee in the city manager’s office in 2013 and 2014. Such accusations are now expanding beyond Johnson to others in City Hall, with two new sexual harassment suits being filed in two days. One of the suits is against Vice Mayor […]
Employment Law
One of the most important pieces of federal law for American workers is the Family and Medical Leave Act. This law recognizes that, sooner or later, most people experience life events that need their full attention for a while. However, few people are willing or able to quit their job permanently due to a new […]
Consumer Rights
For consumers, dealing with debt can be an extremely stressful task. This is particularly the case when creditors are aggressively pursuing payments. Under both federal and state law, there are protections in place for consumers to address the problem, but sometimes creditors fly under the radar, at least for a time. Debt collection companies are […]
Consumer Rights
JPMorgan Chase, the United States’ largest bank, has agreed to a settlement of cases brought against it by 47 states and the Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The settlement will cost the bank more than $200 million, according to the Los Angeles Times, but does not completely resolve claims that it robo-signed documents, among other […]
Employment Law
By now, our readers are surely aware of the decision that the U.S. Supreme Court handed down late in June, ruling that all denials of same-sex marriage by the states are unconstitutional. This is a big victory for advocates for LGBT rights in this country, but the fight for civil rights is not yet over. […]
Consumer Rights
Phone calls from telemarketers can be downright annoying. Whether the calls are coming in during working hours or at the end of the workday, to a landline or a cellphone, these calls - especially after you have told them to stop calling - can become a real bother. The Federal Communications Commission, frequently referred to […]
Employment Law
Despite increased attention and action against sexual harassment in recent years, it remains a serious problem in many workplaces. Many observers see systemic sexual harassment as a form of control, an attempt by management to prevent women from advancing to workplace equality. Perhaps for this reason, the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 explicitly defines […]
Consumer Rights
In a couple of weeks, online payment service PayPal will be changing its terms of service to start robocalling and auto texting its customers. And at first, the company’s attitude toward complaints about these unpopular forms of communication was, “Take it or leave it.” According to BGR News, not long ago PayPal announced that it […]
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