California Legal Blog – A Deep Dive Into Issues That Affect Your Life

House Arrest vs. Jail — Everything You Need to KnowWatch this video on YouTube House arrest is different from jail in that you would be confined at home, rather than in a state prison or county jail. Both types of confinement can be used for pre-trial or pre-sentencing, or as a prison term. While house …

How to Write a Demand Letter for Unpaid Wages — Step by Step Guide by an Employment Law AttorneyWatch this video on YouTube In California, a sample demand letter for unpaid wages informs your employer of your missed payments and of your willingness to take legal action to recover them. Demand letters should include details …

Does California Have "Damage Caps" in Personal Injury Lawsuits?Watch this video on YouTube Generally, there are no damage caps for personal injury cases in California. However, there is one important exception: As of January 1, 2025, non-economic damages are capped at $430,000 in non-fatal medical malpractice claims and $600,000 in fatal medical malpractice claims.1 Each …

5 Situations When You Should Refuse to Sign a Severance AgreementWatch this video on YouTube You are under no legal obligation to sign a severance (also called a separation) agreement. 5 examples of when you may not want to do so are when: you intend to sue your employer after your termination, the severance package …

Written-up for Insubordination? 5 Ways to Defend YourselfWatch this video on YouTube You can fight a claim of insubordination in the workplace by writing a rebuttal letter to be included with the insubordination claim in your employee file. This challenges your employer’s version of events. It can also present evidence that the insubordination claim is …

Working off the Clock — 5 Ways Employers Try to Force YouWatch this video on YouTube In California, the term “working off the clock” refers to non-exempt employees who perform (unpaid) work after clocking out, before clocking in, or during unpaid rest and meal breaks. Working off the clock violates both California law and the …

Non-Discretionary Bonuses — "Does my boss have to pay me?"Watch this video on YouTube In California, a bonus is considered to be non-discretionary (and must be paid) if the employer has already promised it and can no longer alter the size or timing of the payment without breaching the agreement. Non-discretionary bonuses are typically based …

Can Kids Work in California? — "What is the legal working age?"Watch this video on YouTube 14-years-old California’s minimum legal age to work is generally 14 years old. That said, anyone under 18 must have a work permit, called a Statement of Intent to Employ Minor and Request for Work Permit. The minor’s school typically …

Labor Unrest in 2023 — The Year of the Striking WorkerWatch this video on YouTube California is not a “right to work” state. Right to work states make it unlawful to require employees to join a union or pay union dues. Attempts to implement such legislation in California have failed. Therefore, private California employers may …

Political affiliation is not treated as a protected class in California. A bill that would have made it one failed to pass the state legislature in 2021. While political affiliation cannot be the grounds for employment discrimination or harassment, California labor law forbids employers from influencing employees’ voting, blocking them from running for office, or …

There is no distinction between salaried (exempt) and hourly (non-exempt) workers when it comes to the law of holiday pay. Both types of employees are only entitled to PTO (or premium holiday pay) if their employer offers it as a matter of company policy. There are no state or federal laws that mandate holiday pay. …

Statutory Employee — "Who qualifies?"Watch this video on YouTube A statutory employee in California is a worker whose job is classified as that of an employee by state statute. The jobs that are listed in these statutes cannot be done by independent contractors. Instead, the law states that any worker who performs these jobs under …