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Discrimination: Massive Wal-Mart Class Action OK’d by Ninth Circuit
Last year, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a lower court’s decision to certify a sex discrimination class action lawsuit filed against Wal-Mart on behalf of up to 2 million current and former female employees. Last month, the Ninth Circuit has now reaffirmed its ruling, thus putting the suit one step closer to […]
Employment Law Tip: Leave for Victims of Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault
In California, an employer with 25 or more employees is prohibited from discharging or in any way discriminating or retaliating against an employee who is a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault because that person takes time off from work for any of these reasons: to seek medical attention for injuries caused by the […]
Maintaining Your Competitive Edge
You should encourage and manage diversity in your workplace — not because it’s politically correct (and the right thing to do), but because it helps you improve and maintain your competitive advantage. Today’s fast-paced business world and ever-changing technology have taken employers beyond traditional boundaries, sometimes forcing you to adjust to differences in culture quickly. […]
New Ruling on Liability for Injuries to Contractor’s Employee
In a series of cases in recent years, the California Supreme Court has discussed the circumstances under which an employee of an independent contractor can sue the hirer of that contractor for work-related injuries, rather that just collect workers’ compensation benefits. Now the high court has further clarified when you can be sued for damages […]
HHS Calls On Center for Innovation to Accelerate Zika Vaccine Development
If you have employees who travel for work—particularly women of childbearing age—the Zika virus may be much on your mind (and theirs) these days. Fortunately, the federal government is expediting efforts to develop a vaccine.
Your Ex-Employee’s Case Is an Investment Decision for Plaintiff’s Attorney
Special from the Advanced Employment Issues Symposium, Las Vegas To avoid lawsuits, think like a plaintiffs’ attorney, says attorney Dan M. Forman. When the law firm evaluates your employee’s case, it is making an “investment decision.” Your objective is to discourage their interest. Forman is a partner at the Los Angeles office of Carothers, DiSante […]
News Flash: Limits On Retirement Benefits To Go Up
Employees will be able defer a maximum of $10,500 to their401(k) plans next year, rather than the $10,000 cap currently in effect, under newcost-of-living adjustments announced by the IRS that go into effect January 1. Inaddition, the maximum annual benefit that can be funded through a defined benefit planwill rise to $135,000 from $130,000, although […]
Pinpoint Compensation Problems Before They Turn into Lawsuits
Special from Atlanta—SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition Regular audits of compensation practices are critical, says Payscale, Inc.’s Stacey Carroll, M.B.A., CCP, SPHR. You may find ways to save the company vast amounts of money, and the data you need to do it are already on hand. Check compa-ratios, check external equity, see who’s over the […]
News Notes: Court Upholds San Francisco’s Retirement Benefits Calculation
A California appeals court has ruled the San Francisco Retirement Board correctly excluded amounts paid for unused vacation and sick leave whencalculating “average final compensation” to determine retirement benefits. Under the retirement plans, average final compensation only included compensation earned during the period an employee provided credited service. Under San Francisco’s system, vacation and sick […]