Understanding Severance Agreements in California: What Employers and Employees Need to Know

by Patrick Kitchin

When an employer decides to terminate an employee, or when an employee decides to move on to another job, the employer may offer the employee a severance (or separation) agreement as a way to potentially mitigate its future legal risks. For the employer, severance...

5 Tips to Avoid Employment Litigation

by Patrick Kitchin

Employment Lawsuits are Expensive and Disruptive The cost of defending an employment lawsuit is measured in the tens of thousands of dollars.  Defending a discrimination claim through trial brought by a single employee can easily reach $100,000 in attorneys’ fees and...

Wages for Off-the-Clock Work for Retail Employees: Frlekin v. Apple, Inc.

by Patrick Kitchin

Fourteen years ago I filed a class action lawsuit against Polo Ralph Lauren over its practice of conducting bag checks or exit searches of employees after they had clocked out and were no longer being paid.   At Polo all employees were required to undergo exit...

Employment and Educational Discrimination Based on Protected Hair Styles are Illegal Now Under California Law

by Patrick Kitchin

The Public Shearing of Andrew Johnson’s Dreadlocks In December 2018, a video, seen by millions, showed a white high school trainer in New Jersey cutting dreadlocks from 16-year old African American wrestler, Andrew Johnson. The lead referee had offered the young...

When to Settle a Wage Lawsuit Out of Court

by Patrick Kitchin

Employers sometimes respond to employee wage and hour claims in ways that cause them to suffer unnecessary financial loss and workplace stress.  They pay more money in attorneys’ fees and litigation costs than they should.  They sacrifice the time and resources of key...