by Elaine Chen In a recent Legal Aid at Work political speech case, we settled Lauren Gaw’s lawsuit against Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA)–a case that underscores an employee’s right to express their political views. This right stems from Sections 1101 and 1102 of the California Labor Code, which make it unlawful for employers to threaten, retaliate against, or otherwise interfere with employees engaging in political activity. As we resolve Lauren’s case, we are reflecting on our broader work safeguarding free speech… Continue reading How Legal Aid at Work is Safeguarding Free Speech in the Workplace
Author: Kim Flores
Southern California Nurse Settles in Federal Court Case Alleging Violation of Her Right to Political Expression in the Workplace
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SAN DIEGO, Calif. (August 4, 2026)— Legal Aid at Work has reached a settlement on behalf of Lauren Gaw, a registered nurse who alleged in a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in June 2025, that her employer unlawfully terminated her after she brought personal… Continue reading Southern California Nurse Settles in Federal Court Case Alleging Violation of Her Right to Political Expression in the Workplace
What You Should Know About the EEOC’s Recission of Workplace Affirmative Action Guidances
by Elaine Chen On June 30, 2026, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced it had rescinded foundational guidances regarding voluntary workplace affirmative action plans. In addition to doing away with the Commission’s longstanding (since 1979) Guideline on affirmative action, the agency eliminated Section 607 of the EEOC Compliance Manual, in effect since 1981, that… Continue reading What You Should Know About the EEOC’s Recission of Workplace Affirmative Action Guidances
2026 FIFA World Cup: Immigrant Workers Aren’t Playing from the Sidelines
By Claire Ellis Global sporting events, such as the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and the World Cup have always been cites of extraordinary exploitation and abuse of workers. But this year’s FIFA World Cup is promising to test the limits. With organizing efforts by labor to resist ICE raids at stadiums and host city-led efforts to… Continue reading 2026 FIFA World Cup: Immigrant Workers Aren’t Playing from the Sidelines
How Legal Aid at Work is Teaming up with Unions and Advocates to Champion Workers’ Rights in Fast Food
Over the past several months, we have been proud to support fast-food workers facing a variety of workplace issues. Through long-term, strategic partnerships with worker champions like the California Fast Food Workers Union (FFWU) through the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), we’ve been showing up not just in courtrooms, but on picket lines. KFC/Taco Bell,… Continue reading How Legal Aid at Work is Teaming up with Unions and Advocates to Champion Workers’ Rights in Fast Food
Oakland Laborers Allege Over $300,000 in Wage Theft at Public Housing Redevelopment
Stanford Professor Fired for Genocide Awareness Work, Files Labor Complaint Alleging Wrongful Termination
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Former Stanford Medical professor files formal complaint alleging retaliation for raising awareness of genocide-related illness and trauma in global conflict zones STANFORD, Calif. — (April 7, 2026) — A former Stanford Medical School professor represented by Legal Aid at Work, has filed a formal complaint with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, alleging… Continue reading Stanford Professor Fired for Genocide Awareness Work, Files Labor Complaint Alleging Wrongful Termination
California Introduces Fair Chance Improvement Act to Strengthen Landmark Hiring Protections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New legislation closes loopholes in the Fair Chance Act and requires legitimate job-related justifications for record-based job denials. SACRAMENTO, CA (February 24, 2026) — Assemblymember Alex Lee has introduced the AB 2095: Fair Chance Improvement Act, to strengthen California’s Fair Chance Act by closing loopholes that continue to block qualified workers with… Continue reading California Introduces Fair Chance Improvement Act to Strengthen Landmark Hiring Protections