Disability discrimination remains a persistent issue in California workplaces, despite clear protections under both state and federal law. Employees with physical or mental impairments often face subtle—or overt—barriers to advancement, inclusion, and dignity on the job. This article examines what qualifies as disability discrimination in California, how to recognize it, and what legal steps you can take to protect your rights.

California is one of several states that have implemented “Ban the Box” laws—rules that limit when and how an employer can ask about a job applicant’s criminal history. Under California’s Fair Chance Act, most employers are prohibited from asking about convictions on job applications or during the initial stages of the hiring process.

For decades, workplace grooming policies have often discriminated—directly or indirectly—against Black employees and others who wear natural hairstyles such as afros, braids, locs, or twists. In response, California became the first state in the U.S. to pass legislation explicitly protecting employees from hair-based discrimination.

The Freelance Worker Protection Act of 2025 (FWPA) is a landmark piece of legislation designed to close longstanding gaps in labor protections for freelancers, contractors, and other self-employed professionals.

California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) has long empowered employees to sue employers for labor code violations on behalf of the state. But it’s also drawn criticism for encouraging excessive litigation, often resulting in massive settlements where individual employees recover little.

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into workplace technologies, California employees face new concerns about privacy. From productivity tracking tools to facial recognition systems, employers are using AI-powered surveillance to monitor performance, behavior, and even emotions. But how far is too far?

When we talk about workplace discrimination in California, most people think in terms of single, isolated categories—like race, gender, or disability. But what happens when someone experiences discrimination that spans multiple identities at once?

In 2025, California passed a landmark piece of legislation: the Worker Freedom from Employer Intimidation Act.

If you’re working in California and earning commissions, you have the right to be paid fully and on time. Whether you’re in sales, marketing, or any job where your earnings depend on performance, commissions aren’t a bonus or gift—they’re legally owed wages under California law.