Are employers allowed to terminate employees for filing a complaint with a government agency?
No, employers in California are not allowed to terminate employees for filing a complaint with a government agency. This is because terminating someone for what is known as a "protected activity" is considered a form of employment discrimination, and California has numerous laws in place to protect individuals from such discrimination. In California, the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) protects individuals from discrimination in the workplace based on their membership in a protected group. These protected groups include, but are not limited to, race, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Additionally, FEHA makes it illegal for employers to retaliate against an employee for engaging in a "protected activity" such as filing a complaint with a government agency. If an employee in California feels their rights were violated by their employer, they can file a discrimination complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). The DFEH will investigate the complaint and take appropriate action, which can include ordering the employer to reinstate the employee and/or providing monetary damages to the employee. Overall, employers in California are not allowed to terminate employees for filing a complaint with a government agency, as this is a form of employment discrimination which is illegal in California.
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