In a qui tam lawsuit, a private individual brings an action on the government’s behalf. The False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. §3729-3733) authorizes qui tam actions against parties who have defrauded the federal government. The whistleblower bringing the action, also called a relator, must inform the United States of...
Some people might think that catcalling (such as whistles, suggestive comments, and sexual advances) at their workplace is just an unpleasant part of their job that they have to endure. This is untrue. Some might be asking, is catcalling sexual harassment? The answer is yes in many circumstances. If...
The implosion of Silicon Valley Bank has saturated the news, as venture capital funds and other high-net-worth individuals scramble to ensure their billions of dollars are safe. One group of individuals is footnoted in these media articles and blog posts—the vulnerable employees of start-up companies. Media suggests that employees...
If you have epilepsy, your medical condition may affect your ability to work in specific roles or during episodes. However, it should not impact your ability to hold down a job. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination by employers and potential employers. And...
There are many ways someone in your workplace can violate state or federal anti-harassment laws, and that includes non-verbal sexual harassment. In this article, we will identify some examples of non-verbal misconduct and guide you through how to initiate a harassment complaint. At King & Siegel LLP, our experienced...
Proper use of public resources and policing with integrity are concerns on many people’s minds these days. If you are in law enforcement and have noticed legal violations committed by your colleagues or supervisors, what kind of police whistleblower protections do you have? Unfortunately, police officers often have fewer...
Neither your sex nor your gender should dictate how you are treated at work or what job benefits you receive. If your employer treats you poorly because of your sex, gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation, your employer could be liable for sexual harassment, and you might be entitled...
Your employer has the authority to make many demands of you. However, your employer cannot command that you engage in unlawful behavior or tolerate the employer’s misconduct. Your job should not be at odds with the law. Fortunately, federal and California whistleblower protection laws help ensure that workers have...
If you spend a lot of time with someone, you have a good chance of taking a romantic interest in them. But what happens if the person who catches your attention is a co-worker? Is it sexual harassment to ask a co-worker on a date? It can be, but...
If you are qualified for a job and willing to work, why should your age affect your employment opportunities? The short answer is that your age should not be a factor in your professional opportunities, and age-based discrimination is illegal. Victims of age discrimination in California can seek financial...
Although State and federal laws protect employees in California from age discrimination, discrimination remains common. If a former, current, or prospective employer mistreats you for being 40 years old or older, you could be entitled to remedies. But it is easier to avoid ageism than to seek legal relief...
The AARP reports that 78% of older workers either saw or experienced age discrimination in the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those same workers expressed interest in learning new skills and jobs yet were largely denied those opportunities or felt they experienced more roadblocks than their younger counterparts. In...