In The Media

LAAW Attorney Katie Wutchiett speaks to LAist to help explain relevant laws and programs available to parents when they need paid and job-protected time off of work to care for an ill child in this detailed article.

As Katie told the newspaper, “This supplemental paid leave is what has allowed workers to stay home while sick and keep sick children at home without having to worry about being fired or losing their income.” . . . “People need COVID leave for so many reasons right now — for themselves, for vaccination, or to care for kids who are sent home following an exposure or school closure.”

In an op-ed for the Daily Californian, law clerk Lauren Romero examines the narrowing gender pay gap in professional sports, and the vital roles litigation and policy can play in making sports more equitable. "Creating equitable conditions in sports will take a combination of new legislation, strategic litigation and the increase of social pressures demanding equity in media coverage and in pay. My background in sports and activism led me to pursue my profession at organizations such as Legal Aid at Work and Skate Like a Girl."

In an Op-Ed in the Sacramento Bee, Kim Turner discusses the importance of giving women's sports equal air time: "The successes of women during this year’s Olympics demonstrated to sponsors, networks, hosts and advertisers that showing women’s sports makes dollars and sense.... Advertisers, companies, networks and all stakeholders should recognize that the world is excited to watch and cheer on women in sports all year long."

The article tells the story of LAAW Client Helen James, who joined the Air Force in the 1950's and was discharged due to her sexual orientation. More than 60 years later, and just shy of her 91st birthday, Helen finally received the honorable discharge she deserved after LAAW and co-counsel filed suit.

“Antioch is one of the largest cities in Contra Costa County and has one of the highest populations of low-income, Black workers in California,” said DeCarol Davis, Legal Aid at Work’s Director of Community Legal Services. “It has gone unseen and underserved for too long. We are trying to change that.”

Fair Chance Community Organizer, Katie Dixon, and Staff Attorney Stacy Villalobos discuss with KQED potential problems with legislators' recent efforts to combat unemployment fraud occurring in California prisons. "Current proposals could end up penalizing vulnerable people, both with and without criminal records both with and without conviction records," said Katie Dixon, due to a lack of complete and reliable data from California's criminal justice system. "'We just don't believe that the [California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation] is capable of disseminating accurate information to anyone, let alone someone outside of their already complicated landscape.'"

Alexis discusses the power that employers have to demand vaccinations and a return to work, while noting that “employers should be following their legal obligations and that having that balance makes space for all workers in our workplaces.”

Katie noted that, although only employers with more than 25 employees are required to provide this COVID-19-related time off, it is in everyone’s interest for all employers to provide this leave.