Los Angeles, San Francisco Minimum Wages Going up July 1
Employers in Los Angeles and San Francisco must prepare to pay higher minimum wages starting July 1.
Tag: california hr
California Bill Would Eliminate Impact Assessments for Cal/OSHA Standards
A Senate Bill that would eliminate the need for new or revised Cal/OSHA standards to undergo in-depth economic assessment is one step closer to passage. Eight other occupational safety and health-related bills currently in the legislature could also affect California businesses if they are passed.
Does Employee’s Drug-Induced Mentally Altered State Nullify Voluntary Resignation?
A former employee sued her employer under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) for violations of public policy after her request to rescind her resignation—made while her mental state was altered—was declined.
Sexual Harassment Prevention: The Easiest Thing to Teach and the Hardest Thing to Accomplish
When we reported last year about the ouster of recently deceased Fox News chairman Roger Ailes, we noted that Ailes’ repeated pattern of “couch casting” didn’t occur in a vacuum; rather, it sent a message throughout the organization that sexually harassing behavior was condoned at the highest level. We noted that it would take more to […]
Were Employees Denied Days of Rest Required under California Law?
The supreme court recently resolved unsettled questions about the construction of the day-of-rest statutes found in California’s Labor Code. As this article explains, the court answered three questions about employees’ right to a day of rest, when a certain exception applies, and what it means to “cause” an employee to work on a seventh consecutive workday.
DFEH Issues Important Guidance On Investigating Harassment Complaints
On May 2, 2017, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) released its Workplace Harassment Guide, which advises employers how to develop an effective antiharassment program, respond to and investigate claims of harassment, and take appropriate remedial actions. The guide, found here, follows up on regulations the Fair Employment and Housing Council enacted […]
In California, You Can’t Fight Fire with Firings: Preventing Domestic Violence at Work
On April 10, 2017, a 53-year-old man walked into a special needs classroom in San Bernadino, California, pulled out a gun, and shot his estranged wife, 53-year-old Karen Elaine Smith. Two children standing near Smith were also hit by gunfire; 8-year-old Jonathan Martinez died later at the hospital. The gunman then turned his gun on […]
Salaried Employees Miss Work, Too: Handling Absenteeism and Tardiness Issues in California
Increases in absenteeism and tardiness can be especially frustrating when they involve exempt salaried employees because many practices often used to curb those issues may not be permitted. Although it is generally understood that some tactics—e.g., docking an employee’s pay—should not be used to curb chronic absenteeism or tardiness, there are a few other options […]
Is Disability Retirement ‘Honorable’ if Retiring Police Officer is Facing Termination?
A California police officer was being evaluated for not properly investigating a sexual abuse incident. The police department decided to proceed with discipline by recommending that the officer be terminated from the department. After the internal investigation was completed and the notice of intent to impose discipline was sent, the officer’s lawyer tried to extend […]
Is California Employer Liable for Employee’s Negligence While Driving to Company Yard?
In the following case, an employer required an employee to drive his personal vehicle to the company yard and then drive the company truck from the yard to the jobsite, transporting his coworkers and construction materials in the company truck. One day, the employee injured a motorcyclist while he was driving his own car to […]