Blog
REQUIRED FMLA POSTER CHANGE
Employers with 50 or More Workers Beginning March 8, 2013, employers with 50 or more employees and subject to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) must display a new poster. The change is prompted by new U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) regulations. This new “Employee Rights and Responsibilities Under the Family and Medical […]
NEW CA LABOR LAWS 2013 RELIGIOUS DRESS AND GROOMING AND EMPLOYERS’ INCREASED DUTIES TO ACCOMODATE
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: […]
MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENTS FOR 2013
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 […]
NEW CA LABOR LAWS 2013 PREGNANCY DISABILITY LEAVE REGULATIONS
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 […]
NEW CA LABOR LAWS TIGHTER RULES ON PERSONNEL RECORDS
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 […]
NEW CA LABOR LAWS 2013 SOCIAL MEDIA PRIVACY FOR EMPLOYEES AND JOB APPLICANTS
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 […]
NEW CA LABOR LAWS 2013 POSTED NOTICE AND PAMPHLET REQUIREMENTS
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 […]
NEW CA LABOR LAWS 2013 CALIFORNIA ALTERS THE MEANING OF WRITTEN SALARY AGREEMENTS FOR HOURLY EMPLOYEES
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.” […]
NEW LABOR LAWS 2013 SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING NOTICE REQUIRED FOR SOME BUSINESSES
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 INCREASES THE MINIMUM HOURLY RATE FOR LICENSED PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS TO QUALIFY FOR OVERTIME EXEMPTION
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 […]