Author Archive
EMPLOYER’S MANDATORY SHOW & TELL
New State Guidance on Pay Rate Transparency
Buried among previous online guidances on the California Equal Pay Act, the Labor Commissioner has issued FAQs to shed light on SB 1162, California’s new pay transparency (disclosure) law.
HANDBOOK HELPER EPISODE 18
Reporting Disputes and Open-Door Policy
Employers should provide employees with clear written instructions on how to report workplace-related difficulties, problems or confusions, such as regarding job performance, fair treatment under office policy, co-worker disputes, or any other work-related concern.
ROAD BILL
Three Cents Increase, Annual IRS Standard Mileage Rate
The Internal Revenue Service has announced its 2023 optional standard mileage reimbursement rate for employee business use of a personal vehicle, effective January 1, 2023, up from the mid-year increase of 62.5 to 65.5 cents/mile.
HANDBOOK HELPER EPISODE 17
Consistency and Control on Reference Checks, Media Contact, and Bulletin Boards
Without clear-cut guidelines even well-intended actions can result in harmful consequences.
For example, enterprising employees might be tempted to respond directly to employee requests for recommendations and/or reference letters, which could create inconsistency. A well-written reference checks policy will typically instruct employees to refrain from responding directly and refer such requests to the human resources department or to another designated person for any response.
HANDBOOK HELPER EPISODE 16
Handling Customer Discount Requests and Vendor Solicitations
Employers can and should provide employees with clear written instructions on how to respond to customer requests for discounted, free or replacement goods or services and how to field vendor solicitation for the employer’s purchase of a service, equipment, or product.
INCLUSION, EXPANDED
California’s Greater Reach on Family Leave and Paid Sick Benefits
The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) prohibits businesses with five or more employees from denying an eligible worker’s request to take up to a total of 12 unpaid workweeks in any 12-month period for family care and medical leave.
CALIFORNIA MINIMUM WAGE RATES FOR 2023
January 1, 2023, the California state minimum wage will be $15.50 per hour for all employers, regardless of size.
The California cities and counties below have local ordinances with higher rates than the state. Employers must review and comply with the rules for any locality in which their employees work. The UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education publishes regular updates.
OUT-OF-POCKET PROCEDURE
Business Expense Reimbursement Policy
California law requires employers to reimburse employees for all necessary work-related expenses. Courts broadly interpret this law to fully protect workers from being forced to cover their employers’ operating costs.
TIME OFF MOURNING
California Requires Bereavement Leave
Assembly Bill (AB) 1949, effective January 1, 2023, requires private employers of five or more people and all public employers to provide five days of bereavement leave to employees upon the death of a child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, domestic partner, or parent-in-law.
HANDBOOK HELPER EPISODE 15
SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE Social Media Policy
Starting with well-drafted policy, employers should clearly define acceptable and unacceptable social media usage to ensure employees do not impermissibly disclose confidential company information, infringe third party intellectual property rights, or harass and discriminate against others.