“I am a Human Resource generalist at a mid-sized private company. I told my department manager that we should not discourage employees from talking about pay, because that could be illegal. I learned this at a training hosted by our outside employment law firm about how HR should be handling compensation questions. My manager replied …
You Could be a Whistleblower Even If You Don’t Know It Read More »
By Helen Halldorsson, Esq. & Marcelo Lopez The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 Current Population Survey revealed that Black women working full time received 63 cents for every 1 dollar paid to White men. This resulted in annual losses of $21,001 for Black women in 2016 alone [1]. Five years later, the state of California still …
We are launching a series to address a question many people have about what it means for there to be unequal pay at work, and what laws address the problem. Our focus is on the California Equal Pay Act and the protections that employees in California have. Today we will start with the basics of …
Happy New Year! In California, a new year often brings new laws protecting employees. Let’s dive into one that applies to our clients dealing with NDAs and employment contracts: The Silenced No More Act. As of 2 years ago, California already broke new ground in protecting employees by outlawing confidentiality provisions in settlement agreements for …
2022 is almost upon us. We are almost 2 years into the COVID-19 pandemic and smack in the middle of cold and flu season. Earlier in the pandemic, federal and California laws provided emergency paid sick leave that had the effect of expanding California workers’ sick leave. Those have all expired. So what protections do …
We’re Still in the COVID-19 World: Do I Have the Right to Paid Leave If I’m Affected? Read More »
On February 23, 2021, the Ninth Circuit held in Bernstein v. Virgin America, Inc. (Case No. 19-15382) that employers are not subject to heightened penalties for subsequent violations of the Labor Code until they have been “notified” of the violation. The decision goes on to explain that, in Bernstein, the employer had not been notified …
Bernstein is Not the Big Win Employers Think it is Read More »
Employers often offer severance payments to employees who are terminated or laid off. Usually, that payment depends on the employees signing lengthy severance agreements with complicated terms and conditions. You may feel time pressure to sign the agreement right away. But beware the fine print and strings attached – for example, employees are often required …
5 Reasons to Consult a Lawyer About Severance Paperwork– Before You Sign Anything! Read More »
The State of California and many municipalities in California mandate paid sick leave – and these laws permit paid time off for an employee (or relative) who is ill with COVID-19. Generally, the covered family members for whom an employee can take time off to care for are: Children, parents, spouse or registered domestic partner, …
Do I Have the Right to Paid Leave If I’m Affected by the New Coronavirus? Read More »
California State Level Paid Sick Leave The “Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014” went into effect on July 1, 2015. The law mandates paid sick leave for employees who work in California for 30 or more days within a year from the beginning of employment. Employees, including part-time and temporary employees, earn one hour …
Know Your Rights: California and Municipal Paid Sick Leave Laws Read More »