Tag: CER

Mental disorders: How will DSM-5 affect California employers?

By Chris Ceplenski Feb 26, 2014 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

What is DSM-5? It is the new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, released by the American Psychiatric Association on May 18, 2013. This is the first substantial update to the DSM since 1994, and it reorganizes the classification system and changes the names of some disorders to simplify diagnostics for practitioners. The DSM is primarily used by psychiatrists and other mental health professionals in diagnosing patients, but its influence extends to the courts and the development of employment law.

New Affirmative Action Regs Puzzle and Mystify

By Denise Rand Feb 26, 2014 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

Some organizations have decided that the new affirmative action regulations will be so burdensome that they are working their way out of contractor status, says attorney David Fortney. “We’re tired of being hassled,” they say, and they are wrapping up their government contracts.

California travel pay: Blended rate calculation example

By Chris Ceplenski Feb 24, 2014 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 19, 2015

Travel pay can get expensive. Is there a way around it? Actually employers can get some relief: under both state and federal law, employers are allowed to pay a different rate for travel time than for regular work hours. In other words, employers are legally allowed to pay a different (lower) rate for overnight travel time than regular working time.

Tips for Ensuring Meal and Rest Break Compliance in California

By Chris Ceplenski Feb 19, 2014 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 19, 2015

With penalties accruing and the potential for lawsuits, most California employers try to be extra careful to stay in compliance with the meal and rest period requirements under California law. But missteps can add up quickly, and lawsuits often mean high settlements. What can be done to try to avoid accidentally not providing employees with the meal and rest breaks they're entitled to?

What is Coaching and Mentoring?

By Chris Ceplenski Feb 18, 2014 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

Transformational leadership is the process of gaining performance above expectations by inspiring staff to reach beyond their potential. But what do you use to make that happen in your organization? Do you have a coaching and mentoring program? A coaching and mentoring program can help your employees reach their full potential

What conduct constitutes sexual harassment?

By Chris Ceplenski Feb 6, 2014 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

“What do you think of when someone refers to sexual harassment? In California, and under federal law, sexual harassment covers a wide variety of behavior–from unwanted sexual attention, to offering favorable treatment in exchange for sex, to sex-related teasing that fundamentally changes the workplace environment, to general hostility directed towards someone because of that person’s sex—even if the hostility itself is not of sex-based origin or [sex-]based terms.” Nicole Legrottaglie explained in a recent CER webinar.