Legal Question in Employment Law in California

Re: Health Benefits for Common Law Partners

California does not recognize common law marriages. However, if an employer offers medical benefits (which they are not required to do), it cannot offer it to employees on a discriminatory basis, due to gender, or sexual orientation. It is not clear from your question if that is what is happening. You may also have a breach of contract claim, but if the promises were verbal and it is your word against theirs, it may be difficult to prove. Ask Human Resources for a written explanation as to why your boyfriend is not eligible or have an attorney write for you.

Re: Health Benefits for Common Law Partners

If the human resources person made representations to you which you relied on in making your decision, and which turned out to be false, you may have a claim for breach of contract or even fraud. The question would be whether the human resources had authority to make the promise to you and whether you can prove such a promise was made.

If the company is offering benefits to a class of employees on a discriminatory basis, such as age, race, gender, or sexual orientation, you may have a discrimination claim.

Obviously, there are elements to your story that you could not fit into a simple question, so it may be to your benefit to speak to an attorney who can assess your individual situation.