Blog
BANNING WEED IN THE WORKPLACE
California Employers May Maintain Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Policies Effective January 1, 2018, California’s “Adult Use of Marijuana Act” (AUMA) (California Health and Safety Code [HSC] sections 11357-11362.9) permits adults 21 years of age or older to possess and use marijuana for recreational purposes. Fortunately, AUMA does not alter the rights of California employers to maintain […]
WELCOME TO THE FIRM CLARK CARR
CLARK CARR IS FIRM’S CLIENT SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE Mr. Clark Carr has joined the firm as our client services representative. Clark comes to us with an extensive background with international humanitarian organizations, including work in some 30 countries with government agencies and ministries, media, and the public. In the 70s and early 80s, Clark served as […]
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2018 CONTRACTORS LIABLE FOR WAGES AND BENEFITS IF SUBCONTRACTORS DON’T PAY THEIR EMPLOYESS
Under A.B. 1701 (the Act), effective January 1, 2018, a “direct contractor” engaged in “the erection, construction, alteration, or repair of a building, structure, or other private work” becomes liable for all wages and benefits that any subcontractor at any level on that job fails to pay its workers. “Direct contractor” is defined in Civil […]
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2018 CALIFORNIA MINIMUM WAGE RATES FOR 2018
California minimum wage will increase to $11.00 per hour on January 1, 2018 for employers with 26 or more employees and $10.50 for smaller employers with 25 employees or less. Those rates will continue to increase annually until reaching $15 per hour in 2022 for larger employers and in 2023 for those with 25 or […]
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2018 IRS INCREASES MILEAGE RATE BY 1 CENT EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2018
In a December 14, 2017 press release, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced an increase for 2018 in its optional standard mileage reimbursement rates for employee business use of a personal vehicle from 53.5 to 54.5 cents. The IRS bases the mileage rate on an annual study of fixed and variable automotive operating costs, including […]
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2018 CALIFORNIA READY TO ENFORCE GREATLY EXPANDED WORKPLACE LAWS
Immediate Actions for Safeguarding Your Business The 2018 changes in California employment law are numerous. Compliance with these from January 1 on will of course reduce the prospect of related claims or lawsuits. Two new provisions particularly require immediate review of employment applications and hiring practices for “Day One” compliance. See: California Adopts Ban the […]
SPEAKING OUT AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Partner Cindy Bamforth Takes Part in Recent Women in Film L.A. Panel Discussion Sexual harassment has been unequivocally unlawful, in theory, for over three decades. With the rising flood in recent months of high-profile terminations and resignations stemming from such inexcusable violations, 2017 hopefully marks the make-break point where the law will at last widely apply […]
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2018 CALIFORNIA’S “NEW PARENT LEAVE ACT” IMPACTS SMALL BUSINESS
Employers with 20 or More on Payroll Must Provide Expanded Parental Leave Effective January 1, 2018, California’s “New Parent Leave Act” (the Act) requires all private employers with 20 or more on payroll to provide eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected parental leave to bond with a new child within one […]
CAUTIONARY TALES EPISODE 7
Paying Live-In Caregivers “Daily Flat Rate” Can Be a Very Expensive Mistake Continuing her public campaign for employers to adhere to California wage and hour laws, Labor Commissioner Julie Su has announced a judgment in favor of two live-in workers for wages, overtime, and meal breaks against Alexen Corporation, which runs facilities in San Lorenzo and […]
THE BOUNDARIES OF HOLIDAY OFFICE GATHERINGS
Team Acknowledgment, Yes; Bad Taste, Alienation and Harassment, No With sexual harassment scandals currently crowding the daily news cycle, the potential for a holiday office party to become a morale-crushing, litigation nightmare is greater today than ever. There is nothing wrong with annually celebrating company accomplishments and work well done. Yet, management must ensure such parties […]