Archive for the ‘Workplace Privacy, Health and Safety’ Category
PREGNANCY ACCOMMODATION IN CALIFORNIA
New, Simpler Certification Form for Disability Leave, Transfer and Other Reasonable Accommodation The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) requires employers with five or more on payroll to provide pregnancy disability leave, transfer and/or other reasonable accommodation due to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. A woman is “disabled by pregnancy” if her […]
LEADING THE WAY TO SUCCESS
Partner Cindy Bamforth Advises Conference for Work Experience Educators The California Association of Work Experience Educators (CAWEE) is a state-wide professional association that since 1965 has been providing training and education on child labor laws and employment laws compliance, helping their members in turn to prepare their students for life within the workforce. On October […]
SCARED WITLESS
Hold the Line on Over-the-Top Halloween Costumes All Hallows’ Eve. That spooky time of year when witches, vampires and zombies roam the land. From management’s perspective, however, the scariest Halloween costumes are those which are too revealing or are otherwise offensive to others in the workplace. For example, earlier this year a lingerie website began […]
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2019
SILENCE IS NOT FOR SALE Hush Money for Sexual Harassment, Assault and Retaliation Now Prohibited in California Effective January 1, 2019 In response to the #MeToo and #WeSaidEnough movements and effective January 1, 2019, California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) 1001 bans settlement agreements prohibiting public disclosure of “factual information” related to any civil lawsuit […]
BIG BIZ BROTHER
Electronic Surveillance in the Workplace Many California businesses install on-premises video surveillance equipment to improve operations through the security of premises. Electronic surveillance can deter, prevent or help resolve theft, physically threatening incidents or other dangerous conditions or situations. Under California’s state constitution, all persons are entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy from government […]
CAUTIONARY TALES EPISODE 19
Don’t Skimp on Workplace Safety Measures Once again, Cal/OSHA has cited an employer for the death of an employee resulting from ignored safety measures. In March 2018, a GreenWaste Recovery, Inc. garbage collection worker was driving on the right side of a waste collection truck in San Jose. While making a turn, he fell out […]
BACKGROUND CHECK GROUND RULES
Employers and Background Check Companies Must Distribute New Model “Summary of Rights” Form Employers are already tightly regulated on obtaining an applicant’s or employee’s credit information. Companies may only seek consumer credit reporting agency disclosure on credit-worthiness, credit standing or credit capacity in connection with ● specified job positions including managerial executives, ● jobs involving […]
PRIVATE OR SOCIAL?
Employee Privacy on Social Media California law prohibits employer access to the personal social media accounts of its employees. “Social media” is defined 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 […]
CAUTIONARY TALES EPISODE 14
Workplace Illness and Injury Prevention Programs are Mandatory in California On July 10, 2018, Cal/OSHA issued a press release that is a stark reminder of the need for an Illness and Injury Prevention Program (IIPP) both on paper and in practice. Cal/OSHA cited SSA Pacific Inc., a marine cargo handler in San Diego, for safety […]
GIVE ME A BREAK!
Time Off for Fire Fighting, Crime Victims, Drug Rehab, School Visits, and More Most California employers are aware that state and federal law allows eligible employees to take time off for family and medical leave, parental leave, pregnancy disability leave, paid sick leave, and jury duty. California employers may not be as familiar with other […]