Under Labor Code 132A, the employee shall also be entitled to reinstatement and reimbursement for lost wages and work benefits caused by the acts of the employer. Which is correct?

• A. Punitive damages only
• B. Reinstatement and reimbursement for lost wages and work benefits
• C. Double back pay plus benefits
• D. No remedies

Answer: (B)

Under Labor Code 132A, the remedy for the employer’s unlawful acts is to restore the employee to their job and compensate them for what was lost. Reinstatement means returning to the position, or to a comparable one if the original is not available, and back pay covers wages the employee would have earned from the time of the wrongful act up to reinstatement, including lost benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions. This makes the employee whole by offsetting the harm caused by the employer’s actions. Punitive damages, double back pay, or no remedy do not align with this provision, which focuses on reinstatement and reimbursement of lost wages and benefits.