Archive for the ‘Employee Policies, Handbook, Forms’ Category
CUPID’S ARROWS ARE FLYING
How to Regulate Workplace Romances With sexual harassment allegations surfacing daily in the media, it’s not surprising that coworkers may be more hesitant to date each other. In the 2018 CareerBuilder’s Annual Valentine’s Day survey, only 36% percent of workers reported having dated a coworker, a 10-year low. Regardless, office romances remain a fact of […]
CAUTIONARY TALES EPISODE EIGHT
BUSTED Adult Care Facilities Must Pay Minimum Wage and Overtime or Face Expensive Consequences California’s Labor Commissioner continues her pursuit of businesses that fail to comply with wage and hour laws. In a January 9, 2018 News Release, she announced citations of $7,137,036 against Adat Shalom Board & Care, Inc., which operates six residential board […]
EMPLOYERS MUST LET GO
Employees are Free to Leave Work Premises During Paid Rest Breaks According to California’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, employees are entitled to a “net” ten-minute paid rest break for every four hours worked, or major fraction thereof (i.e., anything more than two hours of work). “Net” here means the rest period begins as soon […]
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 […]
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 […]
KILLING THE MESSENGER
Retaliation Is Still Illegal – When Attorney Acts for Employer Federal and California law guarantee minimum wage and overtime pay, and prohibit retaliation against an employee who complains about a perceived violation of those laws. In California law, unlawful retaliation includes reporting or threatening to report any worker to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to […]
NATIONWIDE MINIMUM WAGE RATES LIST
Nationwide Minimum Wage Rates List – 2017 – 2018 Federal minimum wage rate, currently set at $7.25, is often inadequate to meet basic needs and expenses, especially in certain high-end urban locations. As a result, many areas have increased local minimum wage rates according to business size and consumer price index. The following table lists minimum […]