There is a lot of evidence that sexual harassment is a deep-seated problem at a variety of employers in Pasadena and California. It sometimes seems that no sector of the economy is immune from sexual harassment and that it is a problem at all points on the political spectrum. A recent California news item is a reminder that there are many places that are negatively impacted by sexual harassment.
Proving age discrimination in workplace
Age discrimination can make for a hostile and frustrating work environment. As a worker, you may feel as strong and empowered in your work than ever before, but continue to face comments about being old, slow or behind the times. If this has happened to you, you are not alone. Sixty-four percent of workers have said they have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace and in 2017, there were 18,376 complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission about age discrimination.
California law protects disabled workers from discrimination
It is important that disabled individuals are given the same chance to perform work they are qualified for and earn a living as individuals who do not have a disability do. Disabled persons in California are protected from workplace discrimination both by federal law and by state law. Three of these state laws include the Disabled Persons Act, the Unruh Civil Rights Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. Not only do these laws protect disabled individuals from being discriminated against in the workplace, but they also require employers to make "reasonable accommodations" that will allow a disabled individual to perform their work duties.
Employees hit “Do Not Disturb” after work
For most employees, we spend nine hours of our day, dedicating our time and energy into our workplace. The last thing we want to do is answer more work-related emails or phone calls after clocking out for the day.
How work culture can encourage sexual harassment
Although many companies have implemented stricter policies to help prevent sexual harassment from happening in the workplace, the problem continues to occur. It may not be that the existing policies are not strict enough or that there are too few rules, but rather, that an underlying issue remains unaddressed. Many studies continue to suggest that sexual harassment is an abuse of power, implying that some employees may feel that their work culture allows them to get away with inappropriate behavior. Some cultural issues in the workplace may include:
Victims of wrongful termination have rights under the law
Most employers - and most employees - in California have a large amount of freedom to terminate employment relationships under the concept of employment at will. Employers are not allowed to terminate employees for just any reason, however. California and federal law establish a number of limitations on an employer's right to terminate an employee. One of these limitations is the prohibition of retaliating against whistleblower.
