Gail Cecchettini Whaley
California Wildfires: What Employers Need to Know
More than a dozen wildfires are raging up and down California, forcing evacuations and bringing tragedy and loss. The monstrous Carr fire in Shasta County...
California Supreme Court Hits Employers in Starbucks Off-the-Clock Work Case
In recent years, employers have faced lawsuits over small, or “de minimis,” amounts of unpaid time spent either before or after the employee clocks...
Court Puts Parts of California’s New Workplace Immigration Law on “ICE”
California’s Immigrant Worker Protection Act (AB 450) provides California workers with certain protections from immigration enforcement while on the job. This law went into effect...
State to Survey Employers on Anti-Harassment, Diversity Policies
The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) recently announced that it will survey California employers by telephone to ask about their anti-harassment...
California Supreme Court Issues Worker Friendly Overtime Ruling
Overtime pay in California is based on the employee’s “regular rate of pay,” which is not always an employee’s normal hourly wage and must...
IRS, FBI Warn Employers to Beware of W-2 Phishing Scam
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently warned payroll and human resources professionals of a dangerous Form W-2...
It Happened Again: Retaliation is the No. 1 EEOC Charge
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released detailed breakdowns of the 84,524 charges of workplace discrimination that the agency received in fiscal year 2017.
And once again,...
Unemployment Benefits Available for Workers Affected by Southern California Wildfires and Mudslides
Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available for workers, business owners and self-employed individuals who lost jobs or had work hours substantially reduced as...
New Law Restricts Immigration Enforcement at Worksites
As of January 1, California employers must comply with strict rules passed under the new Immigrant Worker Protection Act (AB 450), which protects workers...
Californians Can Legally Buy Weed But Employers Can Still Keep a Drug-Free Workplace
Last week, California businesses began to legally sell recreational marijuana in California. More than 400 state licenses have been issued so far, but the rollout...
National Origin Protections in California May Change in 2018
National origin protection rules may change in California this year. As previously reported, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Council has proposed amendments to the state...
New Mandatory Poster on Transgender Rights for California Workplaces
California passed a new law (SB 396) that requires all California employers to post a “Transgender Rights in the Workplace” poster starting January 1, 2018.
The new...
New 2018 Exempt Classification Rates
California’s Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) announced rate changes for the computer software employee exemption and the licensed physician and surgeon exemption. The new rates take...
Payroll Tax Deduction Rates Will Rise in 2018
For 2018, the Social Security Administration announced that the Social Security taxable wage base will rise by $1,500 — from $127,200 to $128,700 maximum...
What Employers Should Know About Emergencies and the Workplace
In light of various emergencies and disasters throughout the state, the California Chamber of Commerce is educating employers about a few things they should...
Do California Employers Need to Worry About Federal Electronic Injury and Illness Reporting Requirements?
California employers have many questions about whether the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) electronic reporting requirements currently apply to them. The short...
Rigid Disability Leave Policy Results in $2 Million Settlement
Inflexible disability leave policies that fail to assess the individual needs of the employee can lead to liability, as a recent $2 million settlement demonstrates. This...
$10.5 Million Settlement in Minority Hiring Case
The nationwide outdoor equipment chain Bass Pro Outdoor World (Bass Pro) will pay $10.5 million to settle a hiring discrimination and retaliation lawsuit brought by the...
California Employers: Don’t Forget About New Domestic Violence Notice
If you have 25 or more employees, you now must provide new employees with a written notice about the rights of victims of domestic violence,...
Federal Court: Current Drug Use Not Protected Under Disabilities Act
A recent federal court decision is a good reminder that applicants or employees who currently use illegal drugs or marijuana or abuse alcohol are not protected...