Your Workplace Rights

Vaznaugh Weekly Weekly

Topic of the Week

Am I Entitled To Sick Leave?

Contrary to popular belief, there is no general legal requirement that employers give employees sick leave. While most employers do in fact give employees some paid time off each year to be used for sick leave, the law does not require employers to do so

Blog of the Week

Everyone can get coronavirus, but economic inequality means it will be worst for those at the bottom

Coronavirus doesn’t spare the powerful. As of this writing, two members of the House, a senator, and the president of Harvard University have tested positive. But as with so many things in the unequal United States of America, it’s going to be worse for people who are already vulnerable: low-income people, people in rural areas, homeless people, single parents, inmates, and more.

Thought for the Week

"Every time a woman leaves the workforce because she can't find or afford childcare, or she can't work out a flexible arrangement with her boss, or she has no paid maternity leave, her family's income falls down a notch. Simultaneously, national productivity numbers decline."

–Madeleine M. Kunin

List of the Week

from National Compensation Survey

U.S. workers and paid sick leave

24% of U.S. civilian workers, or roughly 33.6 million people, do not have access to paid sick leave
92% of workers in the top quarter of earnings (meaning hourly wages greater than $32.21) have access to some form of paid sick leave
Among the lowest-earning tenth – those whose wages are $10.80 an hour or less – just 31% have paid sick leave

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.