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LAAW’s George Warner Filed Amicus Brief in Ninth Circuit to Support Farmworkers Recovering Wages

"If the farmworkers win, it would 'send a message to business that creating corporate layers between workers and the businesses that profit from their work will not help companies evade liability' for employment law violations." — George Warner, Legal Aid at Work
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Two Bills Aim to Make CA Workplaces More Family-Friendly and Ensure Equitable Paid Family Leave

Asm. Wicks, Equal Rights Advocates, CA Employment Lawyers Association, and Legal Aid at Work join forces to support working family caregivers & those with chosen family

SACRAMENTO – Today, California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (14th District) announced the introduction of two bills to make workplaces more family-friendly and make California’s Paid Family Leave program more equitable and accessible. The bills are co-sponsored by Equal Rights Advocates, California Employment Lawyers Association, and Legal Aid at Work. “Who we count as members of our … Continue reading “Two Bills Aim to Make CA Workplaces More Family-Friendly and Ensure Equitable Paid Family Leave”

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Celebrating 30 Years of the Family and Medical Leave Act

February 5th marks the 30th anniversary of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA. This historic legislation has protected millions of workers across the country from losing their jobs during times of need, like when facing serious illness or welcoming a new child. Since its implementation, working people have used the FMLA more than … Continue reading “Celebrating 30 Years of the Family and Medical Leave Act”

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LAAW Client Maria Arroyo Speaks with CBS News About the Real-World Impact of Lengthy Delays in the Labor Commissioner’s Wage Claim Process

With LAAW’s help, Maria Arroyo filed a wage theft claim with the California Labor Commissioner for $15,000 concerning her job at a Jack-In-The-Box in Oakland. After three and a half years, she still hasn't gotten a hearing or received a single penny, highlighting a wider issue on the extreme backlog of wage theft cases in the Labor Commissioner process.
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California Orders Prominent Burger King Franchise Owners to Pay Workers $2.2 Million in Stolen Wages and Penalties

Owners Monu Singh and Harkiran “Romi” Randhawa responsible for stealing wages from 230 San Francisco workers.

SAN FRANCISCO – In a much-anticipated decision, 230 workers must be paid over $2.2 million in stolen wages and penalties, according to a decision issued by the California Labor Commissioner’s office. The decision comes after a 13-day hearing between April and June 2022, during which eight former employees testified about the onerous and unlawful working … Continue reading “California Orders Prominent Burger King Franchise Owners to Pay Workers $2.2 Million in Stolen Wages and Penalties”

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Sharon Terman Highlights Important New Protections under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which will go into effect at the end of June, pregnant workers will have the right to reasonable accommodations like sitting on a stool or getting help with heavy lifting. In this HuffPost piece, Sharon Terman highlights the importance of pregnancy accommodations, which California law already requires, to allow pregnant workers to stay healthy and keep their jobs.
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Two LAAW Staff Members Recognized with New Titles for their Dedicated Service

Legal Aid at Work is proud to announce that two staff members have attained senior status in their positions in recognition of their accumulated knowledge, expertise, and years of service.  Their longstanding dedication strengthens our organization’s ability to respond to unlawful acts in the workplace suffered by our clients and their communities. Their names and … Continue reading “Two LAAW Staff Members Recognized with New Titles for their Dedicated Service”

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Katie Wutchiett Quoted in LA Times Article About New Worker Protections to Look Out for in 2023

Among the new laws, Katie discussed SB 951, which will increase Disability and Paid Family Leave benefit rates to 90% of regular wages for middle and low-wage workers, which will especially help “Black, Latine, and female” low-wage Californians.”
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Artists Speak On Mistreatment and Wage Theft at Former Ghost Town

In this Article, LAAW's Kim Ouillette discusses how workers can still assert their rights even without a written contract in the context of allegations by several artists that they faced exploitative conditions while working on-site for their employer in rural California.
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