On today, the International Transgender Day of Visibility, we honor our transgender and non-binary clients who have courageously stepped forward to enforce their workplace rights.  California was one of the first states in the country to outlaw workplace discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression, implementing protections starting in 2003.  But it wasn’t until 2020 that the United States Supreme Court ruled in two landmark cases that federal workplace protections extended to LGBTQ individuals. 
 
We are proud to live in a state that has long recognized and celebrated the rights of LGBTQ individuals, and we would like to take a moment to highlight some of the matters that Teukolsky Law has handled on behalf of transgender and non-binary clients:

• Confidential settlement on behalf of a transgender woman whose employer refused to provide accommodations at work while she was going through the process of transitioning.
• Confidential settlement on behalf of a transgender man who was constructively discharged after his coworkers constantly misgendered him and used his deadname, and his employer took no corrective action when he reported their discriminatory conduct to management.
• Confidential settlement on behalf of a transgender woman who was not hired into a high-level position by a company because the company thought it was “not ready” to hire someone like her.
• Confidential settlement on behalf of a non-binary employee who was reprimanded by HR for wearing pearl earrings and a necklace when the CEO visited the workplace and was told by HR their manner of dress violated the company’s dress code.

We recognize the extraordinary hurdles faced by our transgender and non-binary clients, and pledge to continue fighting every day for their rights.  If you believe that you have experienced discrimination in the workplace, contact Teukolsky Law today for a free consultation.  

The Hollywood Reporter published an article on March 22, 2022 discussing the criticism that Beyoncé and Jay-Z have drawn for deciding to hold their annual Oscars after-party at the Chateau Marmont, despite mounting allegations that the Chateau has engaged in racist practices to the detriment of its Black employees and customers.  The party, known as the “Gold Party,” has long been one of the most coveted invites of Oscars night and was routinely thrown at the Chateau Marmont prior to the pandemic. 

This year, Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s plans to host their first Gold Party since the pandemic at the Chateau has drawn criticism because of an ongoing boycott of Chateau Marmont, led by the local hotel workers’ Union, UNITE HERE Local 11. The boycott, which has support from celebrities such as Spike Lee and Issa Rae, was prompted in part by allegations in two lawsuits filed by Teukolsky Law in 2021.

The first lawsuit was filed on behalf of former Chateau events server Thomasina Gross (pictured above), a Black woman, and charges the Chateau with race discrimination, sex harassment, and retaliation. The second lawsuit was filed on behalf of former Chateau night auditor April Blackwell, also a Black woman, and involves allegations about repeated racist behavior from guests that went unchecked by her superiors at the Chateau. Both lawsuits were previously covered in reports by The Hollywood Reporter and the Los Angeles Times.

If you believe you have been experienced race discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, or other unlawful workplace practices, contact Teukolsky Law today for a free consultation.

From today until March 26, members of seven local grocery store unions across Southern California will vote to determine whether they will go on strike. The vote comes after negotiations between union leaders and the owners of Ralphs and Albertsons/Vons/ Pavilions failed to lead to a new contract with better wages and benefits for workers. The vote also comes after United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) locals filed unfair labor practice charges against the companies for interfering with employees for engaging in union activity and refusing to disclose information requested by the locals in order to bargain for their members’ contracts.

Union leaders are fighting on behalf of approximately 60,000 Southern California grocery store workers to secure higher wages. Following a pandemic that led to a financial windfall for large grocery store chains, many workers still find themselves struggling to make ends meet, often making little more than the minimum wage and suffering from food insecurity as the cost of living in California continues to get more expensive.  

In addition to fighting for higher wages, union leaders are also working towards increasing the minimum number of hours that part-time workers can be scheduled and securing language that protects workers from being kept after their scheduled hours. Workers also want better safety for both workers and customers in terms of COVID protocols, and staffing increases to offset the shortages they faced during the pandemic.

The results of the vote are expected to be announced on Sunday. The vote will not necessarily result in a strike, though it does give union leaders the right to call a strike if an agreement with grocery store companies cannot be reached.

Teukolsky Law commends the brave and difficult work of UFCW and hopes to see an agreement advancing grocery workers’ well-being and dignity reached soon. 

Lauren Teukolsky has been named one of the Top 50 women lawyers in Southern California in the 2022 "Super Lawyers" annual ranking.  She was also selected to the 2022 Southern California Super Lawyers list, a distinction given to only 5% of Southern California-based lawyers each year.

Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Ms. Teukolsky’s most recent selection marks her tenth consecutive selection by Super Lawyers, a streak that began in 2013.  Ms. Teukolsky was first named a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers in 2004, her fourth year of practice.  She was named to the "Rising Star" Super Lawyers list from 2004 to 2010.

The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

For over two decades, Ms. Teukolsky has tirelessly advocated on behalf of workers and remains steadfast in her commitment to securing justice for her clients. If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated, harassed, or suffered from other unlawful workplace practices, contact Teukolsky Law today for a free consultation .

In the March 2022 edition of the California Labor & Employment Review, Lauren Teukolsky published the "Wage and Hour Case Notes," describing five new decisions from California's appellate courts that impact wage-and-hour law.  The column includes a discussion of notice requirements for Private Attorneys General Act ("PAGA") cases, the application of California's paystub requirements to flight attendants, the legal standard for reviewing PAGA settlements, whether pizza delivery drivers are exempt from arbitration, and whether non-profits may use unpaid volunteers.  

Wage-and-hour law is a dynamic field, with new appellate decisions that regularly reshape the legal landscape.  Ms. Teukolsky is an expert in California wage-and-hour law, and speaks regularly on wage-and-hour topics at national and state conferences.

If you would like to consult with Ms. Teukolsky on a wage-and-hour matter, you can use this page to get in touch.