Work can be a grind, and sometimes it feels like your boss or coworkers are out to make it worse. But there are laws\u2014both federal and state\u2014that stop employers from treating you like dirt. From getting paid properly to taking time off without getting sacked, here\u2019s the stuff every employee should have in their back pocket. California folks, you\u2019re in luck\u2014your state\u2019s rules often beef up the basics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You put in the hours, you deserve the cash. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)<\/a> sets the floor: a federal minimum wage (stuck at $7.25, which is frankly a bit of a joke these days) and overtime pay at one-and-a-half times your regular rate for any hours over 40 a week if you\u2019re non-exempt. California, though, doesn\u2019t mess around. Their minimum wage is way higher\u2014think $16 or more, depending on the job\u2014and overtime can kick in after eight hours in a single day, not just 40 in a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Breaks are another big deal. In California<\/a>, if you\u2019re non-exempt, you\u2019re owed a 30-minute meal break for every five hours you work and a 10-minute paid rest break for every four hours. Skimp on those, and your employer\u2019s got to cough up penalties. Other states? Some don\u2019t care about breaks, so you\u2019ll need to dig into your local rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nobody should have to put up with a workplace where they\u2019re picked on for being themselves. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) says discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin is a hard no. Other laws add more: the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) covers you if you\u2019re over 40, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects you if you\u2019ve got a disability, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) keeps your DNA off-limits. California\u2019s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) goes harder, throwing in protections for things like gender identity and sexual orientation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Harassment\u2019s also out of bounds. Creepy comments, racial slurs, or any kind of targeting based on who you are? Illegal. Your employer\u2019s supposed to investigate, not just roll their eyes. If they drop the ball, you can take it to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or your state\u2019s version. Don\u2019t sit on it\u2014you\u2019ve got the right to push back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Life doesn\u2019t always play nice. Maybe you\u2019re having a kid, dealing with a sick family member, or your own health\u2019s taken a dive. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives you up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave with your job safe, as long as you\u2019ve been with your employer for a year and clocked 1,250 hours. California\u2019s Family Rights Act (CFRA) is similar but covers more family members and sometimes applies to smaller businesses. Both laws mean your boss can\u2019t boot you for taking this time. Oh, and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) makes it clear: no treating you like garbage just because you\u2019re pregnant or dealing with pregnancy issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNo Room for Bigots or Bullies<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Time Off When Life Gets Messy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A Workplace That Doesn\u2019t Kill You<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n