WomensLaw serves and supports all survivors, no matter their sex or gender.

Legal Information: California

Workplace Protections

Updated: 
January 11, 2024

I am afraid that my employer will harass me or tell other co-workers about my situation. Is this legal?

Your employer cannot fire you, threaten to fire you, harass you, put you at a lower-ranked position, suspend you, or punish you in any way for asking for time off, for taking time off, or for asking for reasonable accommodations.1 Also, the law requires your employer to keep your crime or abuse situation confidential. For example, your employer cannot tell your co-workers, your clients, or other employers that you took time off to deal with a crime or abuse. Your employer also cannot talk about or write about (disclose) the reason for your time off. The employer must also keep private any documents that you give him/her that relate to your crime or abuse situation.2

1 Cal.Labor Code §§ 230(c), (e); 230.1(a), (c)
2 Cal.Labor Code §§ 230(d)(3); 230.1(b)(3)