Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Erlich Law Firm Files Complaint Against PG&E For Alleged Retaliation and Wrongful Termination of Longtime Employee

Erlich Law Firm

Oakland, CaliforniaPacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is at the center of a legal battle following allegations of retaliation and wrongful termination by a former employee. The lawsuit, filed by attorney Jason Erlich of Erlich Law Firm for Mr. Robert Coleman, a California resident and a former Sub-Foreman at PG&E, accuses the utility giant of engaging in unlawful employment practices, including retaliation under California Labor Code section 1102.5.

Mr. Coleman, who dedicated nearly three decades to PG&E, claims the company retaliated against him for resisting attempts to alter his work schedule, which was protected under an Arbitration Decision from 2008. Despite repeated objections to management’s efforts to change his shift times, Coleman alleges he faced unwarranted disciplinary actions, ultimately leading to his demotion in mid-2023.

The core of Coleman’s complaint further alleges that, in December 2023, he was coerced into performing unsafe work on a hydraulic aerial lift without proper training, tools, or safety equipment. Despite voicing his safety concerns, management reportedly dismissed his warnings, compelling him to proceed with the task. This incident, he claims, underscored a pattern of retaliatory conduct by PG&E, placing him in a precarious situation where he risked discipline whether he complied with or refused the unsafe work demands.

The legal document outlines that on February 14, 2024, PG&E terminated Coleman’s employment. The complaint argues this action was in direct retaliation for Coleman’s continued objections to unsafe work conditions and his insistence on adhering to the agreed-upon terms of the Arbitration Decision. The lawsuit posits that PG&E’s conduct contravenes California’s public policy, which safeguards employees against retaliation for reporting or refusing to participate in illegal activities.

In addition to seeking compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress, Coleman is pursuing punitive damages. The complaint further advocates for injunctive relief to prevent future PG&E retaliatory practices and calls for comprehensive training to educate employees on the repercussions of retaliation.

This legal challenge spotlights PG&E’s employment practices amid ongoing scrutiny over its operations. The company, already under public pressure for safety and management issues, now faces the potential of a prolonged legal battle as these allegations unfold in court.

As the legal proceedings advance, this case could prompt broader discussions on employees’ rights to oppose workplace hazards and corporations’ responsibilities to uphold ethical employment standards. The outcome could have significant implications for California’s labor landscape, reinforcing protections for workers who assert their legal rights against powerful corporate entities.

Superior Court of California, County of Alameda
Robert Tyler Coleman v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company
25CV110929



Erlich Law Firm has more than 20 years of experience in holding employers accountable for their illegal actions against the people who work for them. If you believe your rights at work have been violated, you could potentially be entitled to damages from your employer.

Erlich Law Firm
180 Grand Ave. Suite 1380 Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 788-2337
https://erlich.lawyer/
Press Contact : Jason Erlich

Distributed by Law Firm Newswire
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.