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Under Labor Code section 2802, employers must indemnify employees for “all necessary expenditures or losses” an employee incurs in direct connection with performing his or her job duties. But employers, employees, and courts have grappled with issues such as what must be reimbursed and at what rates, and whether paying an increased salary or commission […]
We have a delicate situation that comes up from time to time. We hire service representatives for work at our customer service desk. We want to be fair in our hiring, but last week we had someone with a large scar on her face apply. We’re concerned that our customers will be put off by […]
Californians aren’t the only ones who will see a boost in the minimum wage come January 1. During the Nov. 7, 2006 elections held across the nation, voters in six states approved measures to raise their minimum wage rates. Ohio and Colorado voters approved increases to $6.85, Arizona voters approved a minimum wage of $6.75, […]
The California Fair Employment and Housing Commission has finally approved regulations implementing A.B. 1825, the law requiring sexual harassment training for supervisors every two years. The final rules should be ready to go into effect in February, depending on how long the Office of Administrative Law takes to review them.
Under A.B. 1825, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2006, employers with 50 or more employees must provide sexual harassment prevention training every two years to supervisory employees. It has been unclear, however, whether the law covers employees and supervisors located outside California.
In a ruling that will have huge repercussions regarding union organizing, the National Labor Relations Board has set broader guidelines for determining whether an individual is a “supervisor” under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
Governor Schwarzenegger has signed S.B. 1613, which will make it an infraction to drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless phone unless a hands-free device is used. In particular, the new law, known as the California Wireless Telephone Automobile Safety Act, prohibits driving a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, unless the phone […]
Governor Schwarzenegger has signed into law A.B. 1835, which will boost California’s minimum wage to $8.00 over two years. The first increase, to $7.50, will take effect on Jan. 1, 2007, followed by the final increase to $8.00 on Jan. 1, 2008.
On August 17, 2006, President Bush signed the sweeping Pension Protection Act of 2006 (H.R. 4) into law. The bill, which is the most comprehensive overhaul of pension laws in 30 years, will: require employers to fully fund pensions, with time limits for funding shortfalls; encourage more employers to use automatic enrollment in 401(k) plans; […]
Luxury automaker BMW has agreed to pay $629,000 in overtime back wages to workers at the company’s plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to settle a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) lawsuit alleging the company violated federal wage and hour law. The settlement, which will be shared by 1,224 workers, covers the period from April 2003 […]