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The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Tax Trouble

Considering gifts for your employees this holiday season? Maybe a turkey or ham? Or perhaps a gift card to a local department store? Be sure you consider the tax implications before you give. Believe it or not, the Internal Revenue Service rules vary depending on the type of gift.

Job Descriptions Gone Wrong!

Improper job descriptions can confuse your organization, stifle creativity, and land you in a lawsuit. Here’s what to watch out for. Job descriptions are among the most prosaic tools in the HR toolbox. They’re a basic of every HR program, the blueprint of who does what, when and where, and how it all fits together […]

‘Black Swan’: Big Movie, Big Lawsuit

Two former interns recently sued the producer of the Oscar-winning film “Black Swan” for minimum wage and overtime law violations, hitting headlines nationwide. The case is a good illustration of some of the inherent dangers of taking on interns.

Employment Law Tip: The Risks of Business Travel Abroad

In light of current events, including the unrest in the Middle East and the recent terrorist plot uncovered in London, it’s wise to take a close look at what you can do to ensure the safe passage of employees who are required to travel abroad as part of their jobs. Here are three tips: Check […]

Hot List: New York Times Bestselling Hardcover Business Books

The following is a list of the bestselling hardcover business books as ranked by the New York Times on April 13. 1. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell. hy some people succeed — it has to do with luck and opportunities as well as talent — from the author of Blink: The Power […]

Living Wage: Santa Cruz Adopts Nation’s Highest Minimum Wage

The Santa Cruz City Council has voted unanimously to adopt a minimum wage of $11 per hour with benefits or $12 without benefits. The living wage ordinance—the highest in the nation—would initially cover only full-time employees of the city and for-profit employers with city contracts. City officials hope to eventually extend the minimum wage to […]

Happy Birthday, Jesus

Employment law attorney Justin Pierce tackles the tough question of whether an employer should allow an employee to hang a “Happy Birthday, Jesus” sign in his office. Q Last year at Christmas, one of our employees, we’ll call him “Bob,” put up a small sign in his office that read “Happy Birthday, Jesus.” A non- […]

New California laws affecting employers take effect January 1

by Jim Brown California employers will have several new laws to deal with as of January 1, 2013. Of particular interest are measures affecting social media passwords, religious dress and grooming standards, and commission agreements. Social media passwords Assembly Bill 1844 prohibits employers from requiring employees or applicants to disclose usernames or passwords for the […]