What is the 90 day retaliation law in California?

Asked by: Lawson White  |  Last update: January 17, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (56 votes)

Understanding the Rebuttable Presumption Law The new law creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation for certain Labor Code violations if an employee faces discipline or termination within 90 days of making a protected complaint.

What is the new retaliation law in California?

Now, Senate Bill 497, called the Equal Pay and Anti-Retaliation Protection Act, amends California Labor Code Sections 98.6, 1102.5, and 1197.5 to make it easier for employees to establish a prima facie case of retaliation. The bill was signed by Governor Newsom in early October and is effective January 1, 2024.

What makes a strong retaliation case in California?

What makes a strong retaliation case is the availability of direct or circumstantial evidence showing that the employer's actions were motivated by your protected behavior. This could include: Verbal comments made by supervisors indicating anger or resentment about your complaint.

What is the presumption of retaliation 90 days?

Labor Code section 2105 creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if an employer takes an adverse action against an employee within 90 days of initiating the employee's first request in a calendar year for information about a quota or personal work speed data or making a complaint alleging any violation of ...

Are retaliation cases hard to win?

Winning a retaliation case can be daunting, but it is possible when you have strong evidence on your side.

CA Retaliation Law Explained by an Employment Lawyer

43 related questions found

How much can I sue my employer for emotional distress?

The second type of emotional distress claim is one that is worth more than $50,000 up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the factual circumstances. You would need one or more medical opinions to support this claim and be prepared to have those medical advisors testify in court.

How do you prove retaliation in California?

To prove retaliation, you must establish a causal connection between your protected activity and the adverse action taken by your employer. Provide evidence showing that the adverse action occurred shortly after you engaged in protected activity, demonstrating a direct link between the two events.

What is the 90 day termination clause?

What that is saying is that either party can choose to terminate the employment "at will," but that the terminating party is bound by a 90 day notice requirement if they elect to terminate. It goes on to say that if the employer terminates the employment, they can choose to have the employee stop work immediately.

Is it hard to prove retaliation?

Although instances of retaliation aren't always simple to prove, it is far from an impossible feat. The best way to ensure you have a valid retaliation claim against your employer is to secure legal representation from an attorney who specializes in retaliation cases.

What is the burden of proof for retaliation?

In order to establish a prima facie case of retaliation, an employee must demonstrate: (1) the employee engaged in protected activity; (2) the employer engaged in an adverse action against the employee; and (3) there was a causal nexus between the protected activity and the alleged adverse action.

Are retaliation claims rare in California?

California workers last year filed an average of 706 claims of workplace retaliation per month with the state's Labor Commissioner's Office, which enforces many labor laws including those banning wage theft.

What are the three elements of a retaliation claim?

Again, there are three elements employees have to prove:
  • First: The employee engaged in protected activity.
  • Second: The employer took an adverse employment action against the employee.
  • Third: The employer took against the employee because of the protected activity.

What makes a strong retaliation case?

What Makes a Strong Retaliation Case? A strong retaliation case has clear evidence linking an employee's protected action, like reporting harassment, to an adverse reaction from the employer. Demonstrating this connection can lead to a successful retaliation settlement.

Can I sue my employer for retaliation in California?

Employees, former employees, or job applicants who have suffered retaliation or discrimination may file a retaliation complaint. The Labor Commissioner's Office maintains a listing of California laws that specifically prohibits retaliation, discrimination, and pay inequity.

What are three actions that constitute retaliation?

transfer the employee to a less desirable position; engage in verbal or physical abuse; threaten to make, or actually make reports to authorities (such as reporting immigration status or contacting the police);

What does 90 days notice mean?

In a nutshell, 90-day notice means that the employee needs to inform the company at least 90 days before they leave the organization. This also works the other way around where the employer needs to give a notice of 90 days before asking the employee to leave. However, there are exceptions to these rules.

What is the force majeure clause?

In contract law, force majeure (/ˌfɔːrs məˈʒɜːr/ FORSS mə-ZHUR; French: [fɔʁs maʒœʁ]) is a common clause in contracts which essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties, such as a war, strike, riot, crime, epidemic, or sudden ...

What is the 90 day contract?

This means that if you signed a contract stating that you will provide 90 day notice before quitting, you (the employee) has a binding legal obligation to give the notice or be in breach of the contract. Your contract may state what the penalty is (sometimes called liquidated damages) for violating the clause.

What is the new law in California for retaliation?

The new law amends California Labor Code sections 98.6, 1102.5, and 1197.5 to create a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if an employee experiences an adverse employment action within 90 days of engaging in any protected activity covered by the specified sections.

What qualifies retaliation?

Retaliation occurs when an employer (through a manager, supervisor, administrator or directly) fires an employee or takes any other type of adverse action against an employee for engaging in protected activity.

What is direct evidence of retaliation?

Direct evidence would be specific, identifiable proof of discriminatory or retaliatory actions taken toward you such as an e-mail that says “We are firing you because of your [insert protected characteristic, e.g. Race, disability, gender, ethnicity, orientation, national origin, etc.].” Employer's do not provide ...

How do I sue my employer for stress and anxiety?

You can prove pain and suffering by keeping a log of the workplace violation and your mental anguish. During a lawsuit, you can testify about the emotional harm you've experienced. Coworkers, friends, and family members can also act as witnesses. Written proof can strengthen your case.

How hard is it to prove emotional distress?

Proving a claim for emotional distress can be intricate due to the subjective nature of emotional experiences and the lack of tangible evidence. However, several key considerations increase the likelihood of a successful claim: Severity.

Can I sue my employer for a toxic work environment?

Employees who experience a hostile work environment in California have options for seeking redress. They can file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) or file a lawsuit in court.