Tag: Allen Kato

Electronic Employee Records: Pros and Cons

Electronic employee records are everywhere, whether we like it or not. Laptops, phones, servers, and even employee personal electronic devices may contain company-related information. The number of ways we have to create and store documents seems to grow by the minute. How can an employer keep track of it all? And is there still an […]

What Hiring E-Records Should You Keep?

So, you’ve made the switch to all electronic employee records: How do you know what hiring e-records to keep? In a recent BLR webinar, attorney Allen Kato tackled this topic and gave us some advice. Hiring E-Records to Keep Here are the hiring e-records to keep: Job descriptions and job postings. These should identify the […]

Questions and answers on CFRA, FMLA leave in California

It’s crucial for California employers to get the information needed to properly designate absences so that FMLA/CFRA leave can be administered legally. But proper administration isn't always black and white. For example, if an employee's doctor advises that he or she is under the care of specialists, can an employer require that the specialist complete the FMLA certification?

Expert answers on employee leaves of absence in California

At the end of a recent CER webinar on FMLA/CFRA certifications, Allen Kato fielded several questions from employers related to leaves of absence in California. Topics included requiring notice for intermittent leave, timing of receipt of certification, and employee requirements when calling out of work

FAQs on completing medical certifications for FMLA/CFRA

Medical certification rules are designed to help employers verify whether a requested leave of absence is covered under the FMLA/CFRA. But simply asking the employee to return the medical certification does not always answer that question. For example, what medical certification should employers require for serious health conditions that are incurable—and how often can recertifications […]

5 tips for paying overtime in California

Overtime in California can be a complex calculation, not the least of which is because the state laws for calculating overtime differ from federal law. This issue remains a priority because overtime violation complaints are on the rise. –Claims for unpaid overtime and other missed pay obligations are definitely the lawsuit of the day.– Allen […]

Basics of Overtime Law in California

Overtime laws in California differ from the federal laws. If you have employees in California, you need to know your overtime obligations. In a CER webinar titled “Exemption Audits in California: Practical Strategies for Conducting a Successful Self-Audit of Your Job Classifications,” Allen M. Kato outlined some overtime basics for us to help employers understand […]