California law protects employees who engage in certain activities from being fired, demoted or treated unfairly. These are called protected activities.
Workers have the right to take part in them without facing punishment from their employers. Below are some of the most notable types of protected activities.
Reporting discrimination or harassment
Employees are protected when they speak up about discrimination or harassment at work. This includes mistreatment based on race, sex, age, religion, disability or other protected traits. The law also protects workers who help with investigations or testify in related cases.
Taking protected family or medical leave
Employees may be eligible for unpaid, job-protected leave under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) or the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). These laws let workers take time off to look after a sick family member, recover from a health condition or bond with a new child. Requesting or using this leave is a protected activity.
Reporting safety issues or legal violations
Workers have the right to report unsafe working conditions to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). They are also protected when reporting suspected legal violations, such as wage theft or fraud. These protections apply even if the report turns out to be incorrect, as long as it was made in good faith.
Other protected actions include:
- Talking about wages or work conditions
- Requesting changes for a disability or religious need
- Taking time off for jury duty or voting
- Serving in the military
- Filing a wage or workers’ compensation claim
Not every complaint is protected by law. It depends on the situation and the rights involved. Knowing these rules helps workers act without fear of unfair treatment. If you have been treated unfairly at work, it may be time to seek legal guidance.