Your Workplace Rights

Vaznaugh Weekly Weekly

Topic of the Week

Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Sexual orientation discrimination can affect your job status, your working environment, your health benefits, and a host of other issues in the workplace. The law in this area is changing rapidly for the better. If you feel you might have been discriminat

Blog of the Week

Why temporary layoffs may become permanent

Forty-two percent, or 11.6 million, of all jobs lost through April 25 due to Covid-19 will become permanent, according to the University of Chicago.

Thought for the Week

"We know LGBTQ people face higher rates of economic instability, higher poverty, lower rates of employment and higher incidence of pre-existing conditions. You can make a pretty reliable assumption that LGBTQ people are facing serious economic consequences from the pandemic. The idea that LGBTQ people could be more vulnerable simply because of who they are is unacceptable. It was already imperative that we enact these protections, and this crisis has laid bare how critical it is."

–harita Gruberg, director of policy at the Center for American Progress

List of the Week

from The National LGBTQ Advocacy Group Human Rights Campaign and PSB Research

17% of LGBTQ people had lost their jobs because of COVID-19, compared to 13% of the general population
1 in 3 LGBTQ respondents had their work hours reduced, compared to about 1 in 5 in the general population
11% of LGBTQ respondents reported requesting rent delays, compared to 8% of the general population
29% of LGBTQ respondents reported having access to paid medical leave if they or a family member were to get sick

Top Five News Headlines

The Law Office of Richard Vaznaugh

Experts in Workplace Rights for Bay Area Workers

505 Sansome Street, Suite 850
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: (415) 593-0076
Fax: (415) 653-8935

Please select one of the following topics for further information:

Hiring & Classifications

Looking for a new job? Wondering if the questions you were asked at the interview were legal? This section addresses some of the most common issues you may encounter in the hiring process, and how you are classified as a worker may affect your workplace rights.

Discrimination

Are you being treated differently at work? If so, is it because of your race, sex, age, disability, national origin or religion? Wondering what other kinds of discrimination are illegal? Get the facts on workplace discrimination here.

Harassment & Other Workplace Problems

Whether you're being pressured to have sex with your boss, forced to listen to foul language or slurs, or wondering whether the comment you made might get you in trouble, you'll find this information on harassment and other problems you might encounter on the job to be helpful.

Unpaid Wages/Wage & Hour Problems

Not getting paid what your employer owes you? Are you forced to work overtime, but not receiving any extra pay? Get the facts on "wage and hour" laws here.

Benefits & Leaves

For most employees, your job isn't just about the pay, but also what benefits are included. Sick leave, disability leave, family/medical leave--the different kinds of leave you may be allowed to take can be confusing. Get information about health care coverage, pensions, leave eligibility and other benefit-related information here.

Privacy & Workplace Surveillance

Is somebody watching you? It just might be your employer. Find out here what rights to privacy in the workplace you do and do not have.

Health & Safety/Workplace Injuries

Is your workplace unsafe? Are you worried about getting hurt at work? Wondering what to do about it? Have questions about the workers' compensation system? Find the answers here.

Whistleblowing & Retaliation

Fighting back when you see your employer doing something wrong can be scary, and risky. But there are laws that can protect you in a number of situations. Learn more about how you might be protected when you blow the whistle or challenge illegal conduct.

Unions & Collective Action

Facing an organizing campaign at work (or want to get involved in one)? Already a union member but don't understand how things work? Fired for organizing or joining a union? This section covers information about your rights to organize and be in a union, and how unions work.

Termination & Unemployment

Whether you were suddenly fired, laid off, or asked to resign, you'll want to know what happens now that you are out of a job.

Practice Areas

The Law Office of Richard Vaznaugh assists plaintiffs in the following areas of employment law: Stock Option Disputes, Age Discrimination, Pensions and Benefits, Trade Secrets, Severance Packages, Physical and Drug Tests, Gender and Sex Discrimination, Libel and Slander, Defamation, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Family and Medical Leave, Race or Nationality Discrimination, Covenants Not to Compete, Wrongful Termination, Workplace Disputes, Disability Discrimination, Reasonable Accommodation, Pregnancy Discrimination, Pregnancy Leave, Sick Leave, Gay and Lesbian Rights, Wages and Overtime Pay.