Archive for the ‘Workplace Privacy, Health and Safety’ Category
HOLDING FIRM
As a close observer of the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak from my West African work, the most precious commodity in the current pandemic is knowledge. Please consider this eight-minute COVID-19 video for a concrete understanding of the actual challenge we all face and the simple actions necessary to place this ordeal firmly in the rear view […]
TELECOMMUTING IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
Employers are taking various steps to help offset the economic repercussions of the Coronavirus pandemic, such as providing employees with the use of paid sick leave, paid vacation time, and telecommuting. A well-written telecommuting policy permits managers and rank-and-file workers alike to know where they stand. It should minimally address these points: Identifying the equipment […]
APPLE OUTSMARTED
Company Must Pay Workers for Bag and Device Check Time Like many companies, Apple has a practice of checking retail workers’ bags and personal electronic devices after they clock out as a theft prevention measure. In a February 2020 ruling, the California Supreme Court directed that Apple must compensate such employees for that time, including […]
WHAT’S NEW IN 2020 ORGAN DONOR LEAVE EXPANDED
Effective January 1, 2020 California law requires employers with 15 or more on payroll to provide paid organ donor leave to any employee undergoing such procedures. Beginning January 1, 2020, employers must also provide additional unpaid time off up to a total of 30 business days for organ donor leave. Thus, any employee undergoing an […]
WHAT’S NEW IN 2020 DOT YOUR I-9’S
Revised Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 Released January 31, 2020 All U.S. employers must verify identity and work authorization for each employee hired within the U.S., including citizens and non-citizens, using “Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification” (the I-9 Form or Form). The I-9 form directs the employee to present specified documents evidencing identity and employment […]
WHAT’S NEW IN 2020 FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Higher Workplace Standards to Assist Lactating Moms Since 2002, California has required employers to provide their lactating employees with reasonable time and adequate space to express breast milk. Effective January 1, 2020, Senate Bill (SB) 142 requires a clean, private and safe workplace location for the activity and a written lactation accommodation policy. Significant penalties […]
WHAT’S NEW IN 2020 TIME’S UP, EXTENDED
Longer Three-Year Deadline For Initiating Discrimination Claims Targets of workplace discrimination, harassment and retaliation prohibited by California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) now have three years (up from the previous one year) to file a claim with California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) against the subject employer. A person claiming such wrongful […]
WHAT’S NEW IN 2020 THE ROAD TO INFANT IMMORTALITY
Expanded State Approval Powers Over “Baby” Entertainers California has long regulated the “employment” of infants in the movies. Labor Code 1308.8 bans babies under 15-days old while requiring physician certification for our “older” new arrivals (aged 15-days to “under one month”) to work on any “motion picture set or location.” Beginning January, 2020, Assembly Bill […]
BOSS SAUCED
Senior Managers Must Prevent Supervisor Harassment, Discrimination It is illegal for employers to discriminate against or harass employees because of age, national origin, and other protected classifications. An employer that terminates an employee for such reasons can anticipate a lawsuit for wrongful termination. Also, an employee resignation due to a discriminatory work environment created or […]
NO FLY ZONE APPROACHING
October, 2020 “REAL ID” Requirements For Air Travel Will Not Impact Employment Eligibility As covered in Immigration Nation (August, 2019), the federal government requires all U.S. employers to verify both identity and work authorization for each employee hired within the U.S., including citizens and non-citizens, using “Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification” (the I-9 Form or […]