DFEH Reports Rise in Employee Complaints
The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) recently issued its 2008 Annual Report, noting a 15 percent increase in employee complaints over the previous year.
Tag: california hr
Workload Burnout Hitting Layoff Survivors
In the aftermath of layoffs affecting businesses over the last two years, many of those employees who are lucky enough to have kept their jobs are feeling a little less lucky these days. Increased workloads, combined with looming fears of even more layoffs, has left many employees feeling burnt out.
EEOC Issues H1NI Flu Virus Guidance for Employers
The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued two guidance memos for employers related to the current H1N1 flu outbreak—formerly known as “swine flu.”
Can an Early Retirement Nudge Lead to a Lawsuit?
Employers are often reluctant to follow up on allegations made against employees nearing retirement age, both because of the fear of age bias claims, and because these employees stand to lose valuable retirement and other benefits if they’re terminated. For these reasons, employers sometimes suggest that the employee take early retirement rather than risk termination.
Prop 8 Upheld by California Supreme Court
On Tuesday, the California Supreme Court upheld the November amendment to the state constitution—Prop 8—that prohibits same-sex marriage. The court did, however, rule that the 18,000+ same-sex marriages already performed in California will remain legally valid.
New Health Benefits Law Goes into Effect this Year
On October 9 of this year a new federal law—called Michelle’s Law—regarding who’s entitled to health benefits will go into effect. The law is named for Michelle Morse, a New Hampshire college student with cancer who continued with a full course load against her doctor’s advice in order to maintain health benefits under her parents’ […]
Age Bias Becoming Battleground Issue for Employers
Earlier this month, a statewide class-action lawsuit was filed in a Northern California federal court, alleging that Minnesota-based giant 3M systematically discriminates against older employees. The lawsuit follows a similar case already pending in 3M’s home state.
Are You Liable if an Employee Accepts Stolen Checks?
Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus was recently sued by Brian Burns after his secretary, Carol Young, stole Burns’ personal checks and forged them to pay off her Neiman Marcus credit account.
California Supreme Court Focuses on Wage and Hour Issues
Already set to decide the troublesome meal period issue (whether employers must “ensure” or “provide” employee meal periods) in Brinker Restaurant Corp. v. Superior Court and Brinkley v. Public Storage, Inc., the California Supreme Court has just agreed to review two other cases involving wage and hour issues.
Do Employees Have a Right to See Their Personnel Files?
Under California law, employees must be allowed to view any personnel record that relates to an employee complaint or grievance, or that relate to their job performance. Employers are required to permit employees: