Author Archive
SALARY REDUCTIONS
Exempt Employee Do’s and Do Nots
For properly-classified “exempt” workers, California employers are not required to comply with certain labor laws, including overtime pay, timekeeping, and provision of meal and rest breaks.
VERIFICATION MODIFICATION
Minor Changes to Form I-9 Language
All employers must verify identity and work authorization for employees hired within the U.S., including citizens and non-citizens, using “Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification” (the I-9 Form).
OLD SCHOOL IS PUNCHING OUT
Deter Class Action Challenges by Digital Timekeeping
As too many businesses are being shoved to the brink by mass litigation seeking millions over “minor” Labor Code violations, we continue to preach prevention. Sweat The Details – Friendly Workplace Practices Audits Before PAGA Comes Calling (January 24, 2025).
EQUAL PAY REPORTING
Substantial Penalties for Ignoring the May 14, 2025 Deadline
With its recently published Equal Pay Act statistics for 2023, showing enduring gaps between genders and races, California’s Civil Rights Department (CRD) continues its campaign for wage parity…
OLD TRENDS DIE HARD
2023 Equal Pay Results: Disparities Not Disappearing
California’s Civil Rights Department recently released Equal Pay Act statistics for 2023, mandatory reporting data from employers of 100 or more covering 7.9 million workers.
ALL ABOARD
Wage Obligations to New Hires
New hires usually spend their first day reviewing policies, signing essential personnel and payroll paperwork, and undergoing initial training.
TIME TO EAT
Meal Break Scheduling Requirements
California employers must generally provide a timely 30-minute unpaid meal period for a shift exceeding five hours. A meal period is considered timely if it starts on or before the end of the employee’s fifth hour of work.
ICE CAPADES
Immigration Enforcement in the California Workplace
“Since taking office, President Donald Trump has introduced sweeping changes to immigration enforcement through a series of executive orders aimed at …
CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 96
SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA
Home Care Outfit to Pay $2.3M for Misclassifying Caregivers as Independent Contractors
Under newly enacted Labor Code section 181, the California Labor Commissioner (LC) has cited Amity In-Home Care (Amity) $2.3 million for misclassifying caregivers as independent contractors.
PAYSTUB PERGATORY
The PAGA Perils of Not Paying Attention
We have many wonderful clients who over decades have built thriving businesses from scratch. There is joy in what they do, good managers working insane hours, with many trusted, well-paid employees who have hung-in for years, through good times and otherwise.