Author: jessica

Employment Law Tip: Reviewing Your Vacation Policy

It’s that time of year when vacations are in full swing, and maybe all the overlapping vacation requests and questions about how vacation works have exposed some gaps in your vacation policy? If so, it’s time to review your policy. Here are the key areas a comprehensive vacation policy should address: Who is entitled to […]

Wage and Hour: Small Businesses Reeling from Minimum Wage Hike

According to a new survey, nearly 70 percent of small businesses say that they might have to raise their prices because of costs associated with the recent increase in the federal minimum wage, and 60 percent of small business owners predict they won’t be able to offset the cost of the wage increase.

Discrimination: Huge Verdict for LA Firefighter

A jury in Los Angeles has returned a $6.2 million verdict to Brenda Lee, a former Los Angeles firefighter who claimed she was the victim of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation because she is African American and a lesbian. The award included $3.5 million in back and future wages and benefits, plus $2.5 million for emotional […]

Study Lists Abilities HR Must Have for Success

A study of senior executives lists the skills and qualities human resources leaders must gain to reach full strategic partner status in their businesses, starting with “credible activism.” There’s good news and bad news in the world of human resources. The bad news is that according to a study of more than 468 companies worldwide […]

New federal minimum wage poster available

On July 24, the federal minimum wage rose to $5.85 per hour, with further increases in the next two years that will take the rate to $7.25 per hour. Most California employers aren’t affected by this rate increase, as the California minimum wage remains higher. However, all employers are required to post the current federal […]

Should Everyone’s Pay Be Published? Our Readers Talk Back

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady When BLR’s CEO came out against proposed laws making salaries public after the recent U.S. Supreme Court case on the matter, readers reacted strongly … in both directions. Recently, I used this space to agree with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that discrimination in pay cases cannot be […]

8 Policies to Curb Employee Technology Misuse

Two experts prescribe 8 policies to handle workplace technology misuse problems. You could write them yourself, but there’s also an easier way … Yesterday’s Daily Advisor used the introduction of the new Apple® iPhone™ as an entrée into a discussion of the issues new technology has raised in the workplace. We recounted how in a […]

Exempt Employees: Court Sheds Light on the Administrative Exemption

The administrative exemption from overtime can be one of the most difficult of the various overtime exemptions to apply, and it causes employers the most headaches. Now, in one of the few published judicial decisions to address this subject, a California appeals court has provided guidance on who qualifies as an exempt administrator. Customer Service […]

Wage and Hour: Supreme Court Upholds “Companionship Services” Exemption

Evelyn Coke, a domestic worker who provided companionship services in New York, sued her employer, Long Island Care at Home, Ltd. She alleged that the company didn’t pay her overtime wages, in violation of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The employer asked the court to dismiss the suit because Coke and workers like […]