Effective January 1, 2013, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) expands the definition of potentially protected religious beliefs and practices to include “religious dress and grooming practices.” Employers also must now meet a much more stringent standard to deny accommodation of religious practices as an undue hardship to the business. Religious Dress and Grooming: […]
IRS Increases Rate by One Cent to 56.5 The IRS updates annually the reimbursement mileage rate for an employee’s business use of his or her vehicle. The rate has increased from 55.5 cents in 2012 to 56.5 cents per mile in 2013. The government determines the mileage rate by a study of the fixed and […]
Starting December 30, 2012, California employers are responsible for implementing new regulations on the state’s Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) law. Among the significant changes are: – Definition of “Four Months” Entitlement – PDL is part of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) , requiring employers with five or more employees to provide up to […]
Beginning January 1, 2013, amendments to California Labor Code 1198.5 significantly increased employer obligations and a worker’s rights to access and obtain copies of his or her personnel records. While the statute continues to confirm that every employee “has the right to inspect the personnel records that the employer maintains relating to the employee’s performance […]
California Labor Code 980, effective January 1, 2013, prohibits employer access to its workers’ personal social media. The new law defines “social media” as “an electronic service or account, or electronic content, including but not limited to, videos, still photographs, blogs, video blogs, podcasts, instant and text messages, email, online services or accounts, or Internet […]
2013 brings more changes on the notices that must be posted and the pamphlets that must be distributed in California workplaces. These include: – Pregnancy Leave and Family Leave Notices: Any California employer with five or more persons on payroll is subject to the pregnancy disability leave (PDL) law . Any California employer with 50 […]
The California Legislature has made an important change, effective January 1, 2013, eliminating some of the ability of businesses to negotiate wage arrangements with hourly workers. In February, 2011, we summarized the Court of Appeal decision in Arechiga v. Dolores 192 California Appellate Reports, 4th Series (Cal.App.4th) 567 (2011). See, “Written Salary Agreements and Overtime.” […]
Effective January 1, 2013, a new California law, Civil Code section 52.6, requires specified businesses and other establishments to conspicuously post a notice guiding the public to report suspected slavery and human trafficking. The places affected include: – Restaurants – Urgent care and emergency room facilities – Privately operated job recruitment centers – Commercial airports, […]
California Labor Code section 515.6 exempts certain licensed physicians and surgeons from overtime compensation. The criteria includes set minimum compensation. The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently increased this minimum, effective January 1, 2013. Employers will now have to pay otherwise qualified physicians and surgeons the equivalent of at least $72.70 per hour, up […]
California Labor Code section 515.5 exempts certain computer professionals from overtime compensation. The criteria includes set minimum compensation. The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently increased this minimum, effective January 1, 2013. Employers will now have to pay otherwise qualified computer software employees, a minimum $39.90 per hour, up from $38.89. The new rate […]