Blog
CALIFORNIA’S EXPANDED IMMIGRATION-RELATED PROTECTIONS
New for 2014 While employers are barred by federal law from knowingly employing unauthorized immigrants, companies are also barred from treating any immigrant unfairly, whether or not authorized to work in the U.S. New California laws for 2014 provide the strongest anti-retaliation protections for immigrant workers in the country. This legislation penalizes employers who threaten […]
HELENA KOBRIN
Now Associating With The Firm “Of Counsel” We are extremely pleased to announce that Helena Kobrin is now “of counsel” to our firm. Helena was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1978, first specializing in transactional and commercial matters, as well as governmental regulation and real estate and probate work. Helena was then in-house attorney […]
IRS MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR 2014
IRS Decreases Rate by One-Half Cent to 56 The IRS issues annually its optional standard mileage reimbursement rates for an employee’s business use of his or her vehicle. The IRS has decreased the rate from 56.5 in 2013 to 56 cents per mile in 2014. The government calculates the mileage rate by an annual study […]
A CALIFORNIA EMPLOYER’S GUIDE TO NEW LAWS 2014: OVERTIME RIGHTS FOR NANNIES AND PERSONAL ATTENDANTS
Domestic Worker Bill of Rights Extends Wage Order Protections to Caregivers Our articles “Caring for Caregivers” and “Private Household Workers in California” caution that misunderstandings about California’s rules for household employees can be expensive. California’s Domestic Worker Bill of Rights (DWBR), effective January 1, 2014, drives home the need to properly pay the wages and […]
A CALIFORNIA EMPLOYER’S GUIDE TO NEW LAWS 2014: MILITARY AND VETERAN STATUS
Protected Against Workplace Discrimination, Harassment Beginning on January 1, 2014, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) will protect an individual’s “military and veteran status” against employment discrimination and harassment. This new FEHA provision defines military and veteran status as “a member or veteran of the United States Armed Forces, United States Armed Forces Reserve, […]
HOLIDAY PARTIES – HARASSMENT HOTBED
Attempted Hook-Ups Can Lead to Litigation Shake-Downs Our 2010 blog “Office Holiday Survival Guide” provides a roadmap for handling alcohol at holiday office parties. By its off-the-clock and put-work-aside nature, the annual company-wide gathering may also be a prime setting for unwelcome sexual advances by employees, worse yet by managers. Such harassment is not […]
EMPLOYER’S OBAMACARE DEADLINE FOR NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES WAS OCTOBER 1, 2013
No Immediate Consequences for Late Notice But Businesses Should Still Comply Promptly The October 1, 2013 Notice Deadline: The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA or “Obamacare”) requires the state-by-state creation of the so-called “Health Insurance Marketplace” (“Marketplace” for short, also called the “Exchange”), a virtual one-stop shopping mall for access to private […]
U.S. GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AFFECTS KEY EMPLOYMENT-RELATED AGENCIES
With political finger-pointing at a fever pitch, the federal government effected a partial operational shutdown on October 1, 2013. The closures continue into a second week with no end in sight. Several employment related agencies are affected. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides a free, web-based system (E-Verify) that permits employers to check a […]
CALIFORNIA MINIMUM WAGE INCREASING
From $8.00 to $9.00/hour, July 2014 To $10.00/hour, January 2016 California’s $8.00/hour minimum wage will continue its pace as one of the highest in the nation; rising to $9.00/hour on July 1, 2014, and to $10.00/hour on January 1, 2016. In approving the recent legislation, Governor Brown stated, “This legislation is overdue and will help […]
ON-THE-JOB SHOPPING
California Employers Must Pay Wages and Mileage for “Off-Hours” Work-Related Tasks In response to our article “Travel Pay in California,” a California employer has asked how he should pay his employees for time spent and for their personal vehicle mileage incurred while shopping for company supplies. Compensation for All Hours Worked: Of course, an employer […]