Celebrating Transgender Visibility: A Day to Recognize, Support, and Empower
Every March 31st, the world observes Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). Trans Day of Visibility 2024 serves not only to celebrate the lives and contributions of transgender and non-binary individuals but also to raise awareness of the challenges they face. Here at Matern Law Group, we stand firmly in support of the transgender community and […]
California’s Parental Leave Laws: A Guide for New and Expecting Parents
California boasts some of the most comprehensive parental leave laws in the United States. This guide is designed to provide new and expecting parents with a clear understanding of their rights and available programs. California’s Parental Leave Programs California Family Rights Act (CFRA): Available to employees working for companies with five or more employees, employees […]
Know Your Worth: Understanding Your Rights Under the Equal Pay Act
The fight for equal pay is an ongoing battle, and for many women in the workforce, the wage gap is a persistent reality. At Matern Law Group, we believe in ensuring fair treatment for all employees. The Equal Pay Act (EPA) of 1963 is a crucial piece of legislation that protects workers from unequal pay […]
The Long Shadow of Dred Scott: How a 19th Century Case Still Impacts California Workplaces in 2024
For most Californians, the name Dred Scott evokes a distant historical echo, a relic of a bygone era. However, the impact of the infamous 1857 Supreme Court decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford continues to resonate in many areas, including the workplace. Understanding this connection helps us all work towards justice in the workplace. What […]
Stand Up for Equality: Matern Law Group Joins the Fight Against Discrimination on March 1st
Every year on March 1st, the world stands together for Zero Discrimination Day. This year, as we mark the 10th anniversary of this crucial initiative, Matern Law Group proudly joins the fight against discrimination in all its forms. As a law firm dedicated to representing plaintiffs in California, we see firsthand the devastating impact discrimination […]
California’s New Leave for Reproductive Loss: Navigating SB 848 and Your Rights
On October 10th, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 848 (SB 848) into law, granting employees statewide access to paid leave following a reproductive loss. The law went into effect on January 1, 2024. This landmark legislation offers crucial support and recognition for individuals experiencing the emotional and physical challenges often associated with […]
Navigating “Stay or Pay” Clauses
The use of “stay or pay” clauses in employment agreements is on the rise for many different jobs and industries, but these clauses are now facing heightened scrutiny because of their negative impact and unique harms on employees. What Are “Stay or Pay” Clauses? Stay or pay clauses occur when an employment agreement specifies that […]
What Can a Workplace Discrimination Lawyer Do for You in California?
Being undermined is one of the most disheartening feelings you can experience in the workplace. If such an incident is due to factors beyond your control, like your sex, gender, or nationality, then it even becomes illegal. Are you currently experiencing such a situation and would you like to know what you can do about […]
New Cannabis Testing Laws for California Employees
As of January 1, 2024, two new California laws, Assembly Bill 2188 (AB 2188)[1] and Senate Bill 700 (SB 700)[2], have significantly shifted the landscape of cannabis testing for employees. Here’s what you need to know. Protection from Off-the-Clock Cannabis Use: No Discrimination Based on Non-Psychoactive Metabolites: Employers are prohibited from discriminating against you based […]
Taking Care of Yourself, Taking Care of California: Understanding the New Paid Sick Leave Laws
As of January 1, 2024, California ushered in a new era of employee well-being with the expansion of the Healthy Workplaces Healthy Families Act (HWHFA). This landmark legislation significantly increases the amount of paid sick leave available to workers across the state, paving the way for a healthier and more equitable workforce. Previously, the HWHFA […]
Protecting Employees’ Right to Privacy at Work
Employee privacy rights in California are governed by a combination of state and federal laws. In California, the right to privacy is considered a fundamental right, and the California Constitution provides explicit privacy protections. What laws protect employee privacy? The California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) criminalizes various forms of invasion of privacy, including eavesdropping […]
Apoyando a los Veteranos en el Lugar de Trabajo
A medida que los veteranos transitan la transición del servicio militar al empleo civil, pueden enfrentar desafíos únicos que requieren defensa legal. El panorama laboral para los veteranos ha evolucionado significativamente a lo largo de los años. Existen leyes federales y estatales, como la Ley de Derechos de Empleo y Reempleo de los Servicios Uniformados […]
Supporting Veterans in the Workplace
As veterans navigate the transition from military service to civilian employment, they may face unique challenges that require legal advocacy. The employment landscape for veterans has evolved significantly over the years. Federal and State laws, such as the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the California Military and Veterans Code, are in […]
Understanding Overtime Pay: Your Rights Under California Employment Law
In California, labor laws protect employees from exploitation and ensure they receive just compensation for their dedication. One key aspect of these regulations is overtime pay, stipulated under the California Labor Code. Overtime Basics: According to California law, any work performed over 8 hours in one workday, or over 40 hours in one workweek, must […]
Comprensión del Pago de Horas Extras: Sus Derechos Según la Ley Laboral de California
En California, las leyes laborales protegen a los empleados de la explotación y garantizan que reciban una compensación justa por su dedicación. Un aspecto clave de estas regulaciones es el pago de horas extras, estipulado en el Código Laboral de California. Conceptos básicos de horas extras: Según la ley de California, cualquier trabajo realizado más […]
¿Qué Debo Hacer Si Me Acosan en el Trabajo?
Entre 2018 y 2021, la Comisión de Igualdad de Oportunidades en el Empleo (EEOC) de EE. UU. informó casi 100.000 cargos de acoso laboral. Si bien el acoso sexual representó casi un tercio de esas reclamaciones, existen muchos otros tipos de discriminación y acoso verbal, físico o en línea que pueden ocurrir en el trabajo. […]
What Should I Do if I Am Being Harassed at Work?
Between 2018 and 2021, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reported nearly 100,000 charges of workplace harassment. While sexual harassment comprised nearly one-third of those claims, there are many other types of discrimination and verbal, physical, or online harassment that can occur at work. If you believe you’re being harassed at work, there are […]
Navigating Workplace Disabilities in California
Navigating Workplace Disabilities in California: Your Rights and Protections In California, the pursuit of workplace diversity and inclusivity is deeply ingrained in the state’s employment laws. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) are pivotal pieces of legislation that mandate equal employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In […]
Rest Breaks for Workers in California
Rest breaks for workers in California: What you need to know In California, employees are entitled to rest breaks and meal breaks under the state’s wage and hour laws. These laws are enforced by the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE).[1] Employees are entitled to one paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours […]
Commemorating Women’s Equality Day in California Through the Lens of Employment Laws
As August 26th approaches, we prepare to honor Women’s Equality Day, an occasion that reminds us of the strides made in the fight for gender parity. At Matern Law Group, we champion workplace equality for all under the ambit of California’s robust employment laws. A Historical Milestone for Progress Women’s Equality Day commemorates the passage […]
The True Significance of the 4th of July for Workers
As we prepare for the 4th of July in California, here’s a reminder of what the holiday is all about, the history behind it, and the impacts it has had on workers. Originally known as Independence Day, this holiday is dedicated to commemorating the United States’ independence from Great Britain in 1776. However, most people […]
Celebrating Pride Month: Advancing Workplace Equality for the LGBTQ+ Community
Pride Month is an annual celebration that honors the LGBTQ+ community’s achievements and promotes the ongoing fight for equality. While significant progress has been made over the years, there are still challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly in the workplace. Matern Law Group, a leading employment law firm representing plaintiffs in California, stands strong in […]
Celebrating Juneteenth: Honoring Freedom and Promoting Equality in the Workplace
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is an annual commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. It holds immense historical and cultural significance, marking the end of slavery and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. As we celebrate Juneteenth, it is crucial to reflect on its relevance in the context […]
Honoring Those Who Serve: Employment Law Protections for Service Members
As Memorial Day approaches, we at Matern Law Group take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who have served and continue to serve our country. This holiday is a time to honor those who gave their lives in service, and it is also an opportunity to consider the rights and freedoms […]