Gender Equity
Know Your Rights Brochures
Welfare Reform
Affirmative Action
Sexual Harassment

Know Your Legal Rights 

Brochures
Published 2002

These informative, fact-filled brochures offer up-to-date information on the legal rights of women and girls in the workplace and at school. ERA produces the following Know Your Rights brochures:

• Family and Medical Leave & Pregnancy Discrimination *
• Sexual Harassment in the Workplace *
• Sex Discrimination *
• Temporary Workers and Discrimination
• Private Household Workers’ Rights in California

* Also available in Spanish
Free (Up to 10 copies of each. For additional copies we request a $.25/per brochure donation for nonprofits and $.75/per brochure for others)

Or download the brochures at no charge:

Sex Discrimination in html format  or pdf format 
Family and Medical Leave/Pregnancy Discrimination in html format or pdf format
Sexual Harassment at Work in html format or pdf formatSexual Harassment at School in html format
Temporary Workers in html format
Private Household Workers in html format
Tradeswomen’s Legal Rights in html format

Print an Order Form

2000 Self-Sufficiency Standard for California 
* To order a report, call the National Economic Development Law Center (NEDLC) at (510) 251-2600.

How much money does a family of a given size need to be self-sufficient? How much do they need to pay for their family’s basic needs without public or private assistance? The Self-Sufficiency Standard offers an alternative to the federal poverty line as a measure of the amount of money that families require to meet their basic needs. This standard takes into consideration geographical variations of cost, and number and ages of children, among many factors that affect the family economy. It defines the minimum amount of money needed by 70 family types to be self-sufficient. Published by Wider Opportunities for Women, this book covers all California counties and is an invaluable resource for advocates, policy makers and community leaders.

The Broken Promise: Welfare Reform Two Years Later
Published January 2000

In late 1999, ERA conducted focus groups with welfare recipients in Northern, Central and Southern California. Women talked about numerous problems with the CalWORKs system such as a lack of clear information about available services, confusion about time limits, overloaded caseworkers and pressure to take low-wage, temporary jobs. This report gives voice to their experiences and provides recommendations for the Legislature, State and County Administrators, advocates and the media to help move women out of poverty and into self-sufficiency. Report: $2.50 each or 10 copies for $20

Or download the report at no charge:
pdf format
html format

Proposition 209 and the Decline of Women in Construction Trades
Published June 2004

Proposition 209, California's ban on affirmative action in state contracts, has reversed years of progress for women seeking jobs in construction trades, according to a new report by the Discrimination Research Center, a project of The Impact Fund, and Equal Rights Advocates. The report recommends repeal of Proposition 209's prohibition on affirmative action.

Or download the report at no charge:
Full Report in pdf

Keeping the Door Open: Why Women Should Support Affirmative Action
Published in 1996

This booklet dispel myths that surround affirmative action and promote an informed debate on one of our most important policy issues. Booklet: $2.00

Or download the report at no charge:
Full Report in html

Reaching for the Dream: Profiles in Affirmative Action
Published March 1998

This booklet introduces you the 31 programs that California Governor Pete Wilson has targeted for elimination or revision because of their apparent violation of Proposition 209. It focuses on the programs and the people whose lives they changed. Beth Parker, ERA’s Director of Program and Litigation, authored the legal and public policy analysis on why these programs are still necessary and fair. Booklet: $3.00

Or download the report at no charge:
Full Report in html

The Impact of Proposition 209 on Education, Employment and Contracting Opportunities for Women in California
Published June 1998

In November 1996, California voters passed Proposition 209, which amended the California Constitution to ban preferences based on race or gender in public sector education, employment, and contracting. This paper examines the impact of Prop 209 on women, who have been major beneficiaries of affirmative action. While equality with their male colleagues still has not been achieved, in the last 25 years, women have experienced dramatic increases in opportunities in post-secondary education, public sector employment, and the ability to participate in public works contracts. The paper concludes that while affirmative action has been responsible for many of these advances, the majority of programs are still necessary to ensure equality of opportunity.

Or download the report at no charge:
Full Report in html

1998 Briefing on Sexual Harassment Cases Before the U.S. Supreme Court
Published March 1998

Of particular interest to the legal community, academics and human resources professionals, this paper profiles the four sexual harassment cases before the Court this session. Prepared by ERA staff, it includes the background, Supreme Court decision, ERA’s position and the importance of each case.

Or Download the report at no charge:
Full Report in html