Blog
DEFEND YOUR BRAND
Trademark Assistance Can Help
A company’s trademarks may well be its most valuable assets. A business must guard against those who may seek to profit on the goodwill of those brands, whether intentionally or not.
Brand protection begins with selecting a strong trademark that no one else is already using for the same or similar products or services. Then registering that mark helps the owner to shield against unauthorized use.
LUNCH TIME-TRACKING
Preventing a Recordkeeping
Business-Buster
California requires employers to maintain accurate time records reflecting all hours worked, including start and end times of meal periods. Labor Code § 1174(d).
SEND AWAY PAY
Mastering “Reporting Time Pay” Compliance
California employers must provide additional “reporting time pay” to non-exempt (hourly) employees who report for scheduled work but then are given less than half of their shift. The amount is at least two hours’ and no more than four hours’ pay at the regular rate. For a second reporting on the same workday, the employer must pay at least two additional hours at the regular rate.
BOUNDARIES 101
California’s Anti-Discrimination Legislation
California and federal labor laws are designed to protect employees from unlawful discrimination. California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), signed into law in 1980 by then-Governor Jerry Brown, is the principal anti-discrimination law in California today.
CHILL PILL PROTOCOL
Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Every two years, employers with five or more on payroll must provide at least two hours of classroom or other effective interactive sexual harassment prevention training and education to all California supervisory employees and at least one hour of such training to all nonsupervisory employees working on-site or remotely within California. New employees must complete this training within six months of hire.
LAST PAY MAYDAY
Final Paycheck Requirements
California employers must meet strict deadlines for issuing final paychecks or face penalties – up to 30 days of the employee’s daily wage for each day of delay. The deadlines vary depending on termination or resignation.
COLLABORATION FOUNDATION
Workplace Policy Handbook & Forms for 2025
Basic written office policy and procedures geared toward production create an easily navigable workplace, helping reduce the inter-staff confusions and production slows.
ZIP IT
Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Every two years, employers with five or more on payroll must provide at least two hours of classroom or other effective interactive sexual harassment prevention training and education to all California supervisory employees and at least one hour of such training to all nonsupervisory employees working on-site or remotely within California. New employees must complete this training within six months of hire.
LEAVE LAW LOWDOWN
California Vacation, PTO and Sick Leave
California employers must follow complex state and local laws when managing employee time off. With proper planning, they can either separate mandatory sick leave from vacation or paid time off (PTO) or combine them into a single policy. Each approach carries specific legal obligations.
NEW HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTECTIONS FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS
Some Now Covered by Cal/OSHA Safeguards
Under SB 1350, effective July 1, 2025, some domestic workers are now covered by Cal/OSHA employee protections.