Disability discrimination laws in California apply to all workers, but many part-time employees wonder whether they are entitled to the same protections as full-time staff. The short answer is yes—California law prohibits disability discrimination regardless of the number of hours worked. However, the benefits and accommodations available may vary depending on your situation and employer.
Understanding your rights as a part-time or full-time employee can help you take action if you’ve been denied accommodations, harassed, or mistreated because of a disability. Here, the Los Angeles employment law attorney at Leichter Law Firm, APC, Aryeh Leichter, explains.
Do Disability Laws Protect Part-Time Employees in California?
Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against any employee, part-time or full-time, based on a physical or mental disability, medical condition, or perceived disability.
This law applies to:
- Private employers with five or more employees.
- Government agencies.
- Labor organizations and employment agencies.
This means part-time workers are legally protected from:
- Termination due to a disability.
- Denial of reasonable accommodations.
- Harassment or retaliation based on disability.
- Being passed over for promotion because of a disability.
What Counts as a “Reasonable Accommodation” in California?
California employers must provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities, so long as doing so does not cause undue hardship. These accommodations are intended to help an employee perform the essential functions of their job.
Examples of reasonable accommodations include:
- Modified work schedules (including shorter or flexible hours).
- Assistive equipment or ergonomic modifications.
- Reassignment to a vacant position.
- Remote or hybrid work arrangements.
- Additional unpaid leave for medical recovery.
Whether you’re a part-time cashier or a full-time office administrator, your employer must explore ways to support you if a disability affects your ability to perform job duties.
Do Benefits or Leave Policies Differ for Part-Time Employees?
While part-time and full-time employees share the same legal protections against disability discrimination, the availability of certain benefits or leave programs may differ.
That includes:
- Paid sick leave is required under California law for full-time and part-time employees, though part-time workers accrue leave at a slower rate.
- State Disability Insurance (SDI) may be available to part-time employees who pay into the program through payroll deductions.
- The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and California Family Rights Act (CFRA) may not apply to part-time workers unless they meet the 1,250-hour requirement over the past 12 months.
However, even when formal leave laws don’t apply, FEHA may still require additional time off as a reasonable accommodation for a disability, regardless of part-time status.
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Denied an Accommodation?
If your employer refuses to engage in the interactive process or denies a request for accommodations based solely on your part-time status, they may be violating California law. Disability discrimination and retaliation are serious offenses that can lead to legal action.
You have the right to:
- Request reasonable accommodations.
- Take protected leave when medically necessary.
- File a complaint if your rights have been violated.
Los Angeles employment law attorney Aryeh Leichter can help evaluate your situation and determine whether your employer’s actions amount to unlawful discrimination.
Contact a Los Angeles Disability Discrimination Attorney for Part-Time and Full-Time Workers
Disability protections in California are not reserved for full-time employees alone. Whether you work 10 or 40 hours per week, your rights matter—and you deserve fair treatment under the law.
Contact Aryeh Leichter, the Leichter Law Firm, APC founder, and employment law attorney in Los Angeles County, to discuss your case and pursue the accommodations, compensation, or justice you may be entitled to.