Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
ETHICS
The Twentieth Century, and the start of the Twenty-First, have been no cakewalk. While our advances in science and technology have made possible the real prospect of a civilized world community, the reason, ethics and justice that would establish a secure society and lasting peace have been repeatedly crushed by the madness of ignorance, global […]
WHAT’S NEW IN 2020 CALIFORNIA PROHIBITS MANDATORY EMPLOYEE ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS
Arbitration is a form of private dispute resolution that takes the place of a lawsuit and court trial. Arbitration has many business-related advantages, including a more efficient, less-public process than the often-prolonged procedures of the court. Thus, employers often favor this alternative. California Labor Code section 432.6, effective January 1, 2020 as part of Assembly […]
WHAT’S NEW IN 2020 THAT’S FINAL, TENTATIVELY
Barring Successful Court Challenge, Federal Overtime Exemption Will Require Higher Salaries January 1, 2020 In 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a “Final Rule” more than doubling the minimum salary amounts for certain workers – administrative, executive, and professional, employees, as well as “highly compensated employees” (HCE) to qualify for overtime exemption under […]
THANK A FARMER
Cow decorated for Mattu Pongal, 1996 Photo: Sue Bodenlos: khosla.com Harvest Festivals Not an American Innovation With all due respect to the many who regard America’s Thanksgiving as the biggest holiday of the year, there are currently some 7.35 billion people on this planet for whom this coming Thursday will be just another day. Alternatively, […]
BULLET DODGING PART 6
Real Estate Agent Exemptions From Stringent Limits on Independent Contractor Status New Labor Code 2750.3(d), effective January 1, 2020 as part of Assembly Bill (AB) 5, exempts real estate licensees, regulated under the Business & Professions Code (B&P), from the strict Dynamex ABC test for independent contractor classification. See, Dodging the Bullet (October 2019). Labor […]
GIVING BACK
At Global Cares Mission Academy and orphanage, Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, August 10, 2019 African Literacy Project Applied Scholastics International Our firm is dedicated to community service because “human survival depends on a social framework that promotes and supports the basic rights and nature of mankind to create and change conditions for the better.” Bowles […]
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 […]
MEET THE FIRM: LAW OFFICES OF TIMOTHY BOWLES
Founded in 1998, we are a boutique firm representing employers exclusively, located in the heart of Old Town Pasadena, California. We work from two stark facts in the business world. First, executives and administrators can become their own worst enemies out of misconception or ignorance of constantly evolving workplace laws. Second, and particularly in lawsuit-happy […]
MEET THE FIRM: HELENA K. KOBRIN
Helena is “Of Counsel” to the Law Offices of Timothy Bowles. She contributes to the firm’s continuing specialty of employment law while adding her extensive experience in copyright/ trademark and contract work. Helena also regularly assists clients in the evolving area of home care law, aiding in creation and compliance, and as applicable, registration, of home […]
MEET THE FIRM: CINDY BAMFORTH
A partner at Bowles Law, Cindy has a strong skill set and extensive experience in California employment law issues. This includes harassment prevention training, employee handbook compliance, wages (including overtime), meal and rest breaks, leaves of absence, independent contractor classification, disciplinary measures, and terminations. Prior to joining Bowles Law, Ms. Bamforth served as in-house counsel […]