
How to Sue Your Employer in California: Steps, Deadlines and What It Costs (2026)
California lets you sue your employer when a firing, the pay or the treatment broke a specific law: discrimination, harassment, retaliation, unpaid wages, denied leave or a layoff without notice. This guide gives the claims California workers bring most, the step-by-step route through the Civil Rights Department, the Labor Commissioner or court, the deadlines, and what it costs, which is usually $0 upfront.