Legal Aid at Work

Hate dealing with employer references?  You’re not alone! LAAW recently spoke with NPR’s “The Indicator from Planet Money” podcast, which examined how legal concerns and evolving hiring practices are turning references into less informative and more time intensive process.  We appreciate NPR for spotlighting this interesting issue! https://loom.ly/Ed5M-ws

For decades, LGBTQ service members like Helen “Jimmer” James were forced out of the military, branded as “undesirable,” and denied the recognition they rightfully earned. Through the tireless advocacy of LAAW’s Elizabeth Kristen, Helen’s discharge was finally upgraded, setting the stage for our lawsuit that's seeking to upgrade discharges for over 10,000 LGBTQ veterans. Read more: https://loom.ly/iz4KzLA

Congratulations to the University of San Diego law students for completing the Workers' Rights Clinic this fall! We're grateful to all our inspiring law students for helping over 60 workers this semester, including representing a worker during a settlement conference at the Labor Commissioner's Office.

🚨 BREAKING — Today, we filed complaints with federal and state workplace enforcement agencies on behalf of current and former employees of Cisco. The complaints allege Cisco unlawfully coerced employees’ political speech by selectively suppressing pro-Palestinian advocacy while supporting other political speech concerning use of the company’s technologies in support of the Israeli military’s operations in Gaza. The complaints further allege that Cisco violated their federally protected rights to engage in concerted activity and failed to prevent workplace harassment. Read our full press release: https://loom.ly/3z0fA3U

Today, CAIR-CA and Legal Aid at Work announced legal action on behalf of Lauren Gaw, a former nurse with Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA) in La Jolla, CA, who alleges she was unjustly terminated for displaying stickers on her water bottles that expressed her political views in support of Palestinians. Ms. Gaw, a healthcare worker and passionate advocate for human rights, faced escalating discipline and eventual termination despite adhering to directives to avoid bringing her water bottles to work. “This case is about ensuring that all workers, regardless of their political affiliations and the popularity of the causes they champion, are treated equitably and can express their beliefs without fear of retaliation," said Laura Alvarenga Scalia, Staff Attorney at Legal Aid at Work. Read our full press release: https://loom.ly/AFrNdxg

We're excited to welcome Isabel Flores Ganley to our Gender Equity & LGBTQ Rights and National Origin and Immigrants Rights Programs as our Skadden Fellow! Isabel graduated from UCLA School of Law where she specialized in Critical Race Studies and Public Interest Law and Policy. Prior to law school Isabel worked for the Southern Poverty Law Center where she worked on the economic justice legal team challenging fines and fees in the criminal legal system. Isabel’s Skadden project focuses on deferred action and labor enforcement and on the intersections of workplace rights and immigrant justice.

Legal Aid at Work has worked alongside our clients and utilized federal and state government agencies and the courts to enforce the law, and we have pushed ahead in advancing workers' rights for over a hundred years. But these hard-earned gains are in imminent peril as President-elect Trump once again takes hold of the reins of our government. We will not be deterred from our mission and will continue to support low-income workers in California as they pursue fair and equitable treatment in the workplace. Please support this mission by donating to our Annual Fund today. https://lnkd.in/gBWC7MgT

🚨 Subcontracting chains are far too often used to shield companies from accountability and exploit our lowest-paid workers. Legal Aid at Work is suing to challenge these schemes and fight for janitors like Mr. Ceja Flores. ✊ Learn more: https://loom.ly/oLBDYOs #WageTheft #WorkersRights

Workers have a right to speak different languages instead of only English. We're currently representing a Latine U.S. Postal Service supervisor who, after being verbally and physically attacked by a supervisee who told him to stop speaking Spanish, stating that “this is America,” learned that his postal district had a speak-English only policy which had possibly emboldened his supervisee to chastise him. This created a hostile work environment which caused him to go out on medical leave due to the severe emotional stress and anxiety he continues to experience. If you're facing language discrimination, contact our Language Rights Helpline. Learn more: https://loom.ly/_4NQonY

We were thrilled to join our plaintiff-side peers at this year’s California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA) Conference this past weekend. Chris Ho, our National Origin and Immigrants’ Rights Program Director was among the conference moderators. Attendees included current and former LAAW clerks, Workers’ Rights Clinic students, and volunteer attorneys. We especially appreciated the shout-out given during the general session to our Work & Family Program for their contribution to family-friendly legislation enacted in 2024.