Do employees in California have rights in the workplace?

All employees have basic rights. What those rights are can vary by state, but there are some that are the same across the board. Employees have a right to work in an environment where they are not discriminated against or harassed due to their race, religion, national origin, age, disability, color, sex, or genetic information.  

As an employee in California, you also have the right to:

• Minimum wage
• Overtime
• Proper classification of your position

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), you also have the right to:

• Safe and healthful workplaces
• Protective equipment free of charge, where appropriate
• Information (like chemical hazards, workplace injuries, exposure data, etc.) 
• Training, where appropriate
• File a complaint with OSHA to request an on-site OSHA inspection

Federal and state laws establish rights and implement systems to address violations of rights. Always speak to an employment law lawyer in Cupertino if you work in the area and believe your rights have been violated.