Most Popular

California’s minimum wage going up on January 1

The minimum wage in California will rise to $10.50 an hour on January 1 for most employers thanks to a measure signed into law in April. Future incremental increases will put the state’s minimum wage at $15 an hour by January 2022 for employers with 26 or more employees. Smaller employers will have more time […]

Sexual Harassment Backlash: Big Verdict For Executive Fired Over Harassment Charge

Lawrence Moreau was chief financial officer for Los Angeles-based Direct Express, which was later acquired by Paystation America. Less than three months after starting work, Moreau was fired for allegedly touching two female employees inappropriately. He sued, claiming the charge was unfounded and a company pretext to break his three-year employment contract. Now a Los […]

HR Comply/Workforce L&D Keynote Talks Hiring and Motivating Workers

We talk a lot about culture these days, and one of the companies that often comes up in those discussions is Netflix, renowned for its special culture. Patty McCord, the architect of that culture and the creator of the Netflix Culture Deck—a popular resource that has over 20 million views—recently sat down with the HR […]

Distracted Driving–Are Employees Talking and Texting Behind the Wheel?

Special from Atlanta–SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition Yesterday’s Advisor featured the first five of attorney Joseph Beachboard’s 11 risks of e-data. Today, the rest of his risks, plus an introduction to the premier HR website, HR.BLR.com. [Go here for risks 1 to 5.] 6. Physical Use of Personal Devices Suits against employers involving cell phone-related […]

Family and Medical Leave: When Can You Require a New Certification of a Serious Health Condition?

Suppose an employee takes time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for his or her own serious health condition, and you require a healthcare provider’s certification confirming the need for leave. After a year goes by, the employee needs additional leave for the same health problem. Can you require this person to […]

Hot List: Bestselling “Business Motivation” books on Amazon.com

Amazon.com updates its list of the bestselling books every hour. Here is a snapshot of what is hot right now, this Monday morning, November 2, in the “Business Motivation” section of the “Business and Investing” category. 1. Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story, Updated and Expanded Edition by Jerry Weissman. Teaches presenters […]

California’s High Court Puts the Kibosh on Noncompete Agreements

The California Supreme Court has issued an important decision that makes it clear that employers cannot restrain an employee’s ability to compete, regardless of how reasonable or narrow the restrictions. As a result of this ruling, employers should do a thorough review of their employment agreements to ensure they do not contain unlawful noncompetition provisions.

‘New’ OSHA Uses Old Policy to Make Example of Employers

OSHA is making aggressive use of “egregious violations” to levy large fines and make an example of employers where it considers hazards to have been very serious, including a $16.6 million fine in Connecticut last week and another case in Wisconsin. But the question is whether the violations will hold up in the face of […]

Will the Brinker Meal and Rest Breaks Decision Stand?

Most California employers know by now that a California appeals court recently issued an important decision in Brinker Restaurant Corp. v. Superior Court, interpreting the state’s meal and rest period requirements and giving employers and employees welcome flexibility in scheduling breaks. (See our complete coverage here.)

Manufacturer Misrepresents Compliance with FMLA: Lessons for Employers

By Gregory J. Wartman, JD A Pennsylvania federal court recently ruled that an employee was ineligible for relief under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) because of the size of his employer and that he did not present sufficient evidence that his employer should be equitably estopped (prevented) from avoiding liability under the Act.