Tag: california hr

Q&A on deductions from final paychecks in California

Making deductions from the final paycheck can open an employer up to legal problems—including accusations of withholding final pay if the deduction was improper. If an employer is deemed to have withheld final pay, it could be subject to waiting time penalties.

Employee Handbooks: Are They Really Necessary?

Even though it isn’t a California or federal law requirement, many employers have an employee handbook or at least a few written company policies. Exactly where do those policies come from? The answer to that question is easy―the HR department. But where does HR get the policies that govern the company? The answer to that […]

Workplace investigations 101: What to do when employee makes an allegation

Workplace investigations typically start with an allegation. Perhaps an employee makes a complaint about another employee or manager. Or perhaps he or she advises of an employee harassing another employee. Regardless of the specifics of the allegation at hand, there are some steps that employers should always take at the start of the process. Having […]

Q&A on PTO policies in California

Administering a new PTO policy can be tricky, especially in California where accrued vacation days are counted as accrued wages. It’s imperative to understand how PTO days are treated under the law. In a recent CER webinar, Dan Chammas talked about the differences between vacation policies and PTO policies. He then answered questions on avoiding […]

4 Months of Pregnancy Disability Leave Just Isn’t Enough

If you have a nondiscretionary bonus plan that is awarded to nonexempt employees at intervals greater than each week (for example, on a quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis), you are required to retroactively calculate the bonus into the employee’s “regular rate” of pay.

Administering a PTO policy in California

When administering a PTO policy in California, it’s important to understand how the law treats the accrued days in the PTO bank. This matters for California employers since accrued vacation days are treated as accrued wages and must be paid out upon termination. As such, the same rules apply to any PTO time that is […]