In Bailey v. San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, the California Supreme Court ruled that a single use of a racial slur may be actionable harassment under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act if it is sufficiently severe under the totality of the...
Employment Discrimination
Job posts: head over heels for these hiring practices
An essential first step in any new employer–employee relationship is the job post itself. Job posts are the gateway to finding employees that best embody the company’s objectives. First impressions are a significant part of how relationships begin, whether they be...
From Illegal Conduct to Protected Activity: Cannabis Users Acquire Protected Status Under FEHA in 2024
Beginning January 1, 2024, employees who recreationally use cannabis (marijuana) outside of the workplace will be legally protected in doing so, and cannot be subject to employment actions merely because of their off-duty use of the drug. The new law, Assembly Bill...
Now Hiring! – Best Practices for a Lawful Interview Process
Part I of a Two-Part Series on Hiring; Part II addresses best practices after hiring. With the recent Covid-19 hiring surge, it is the perfect time for employers to review their hiring policies and practices. While most California employers are familiar with the Fair...
Avoid discriminatory questions of California job applicants or employees
Employers, beware. While California employers may ask applicants or employees certain questions which they perceive to be polite small talk, some of these questions could actually be unlawful under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) which prohibits...