What’s Your Wage Order?
Here is a handy list of California’s 15 industry and occupational wage orders:
Archives
Family And Medical Leave: Employer Dodges $118,000 Verdict In Dispute Over Time Off For The Flu; Tips For Handling Minor Illnesses
When the U.S. Department of Labor issued an opinion two years ago suggesting that absences due to the common cold or flu could sometimes qualify as family leave, it was greeted with consternation by many employers. Now, in a new decision, a California appellate court has overturned a $118,000 verdict in favor of a worker […]
Accommodating Disabilities: Extra Effort To Accommodate Worker Wins Case For Employer
Lucky Stores faced a typical problem. An employee who was injured on the job wanted to return to work even though his doctors had imposed restrictions on his duties. The supermarket carefully considered the employee’s work limitations, extended his disability leave more than once and eventually offered him a part-time job he was qualified to […]
Wage And Hour: How To Adopt An Alternative Workweek Schedule To Avoid Daily Overtime Under The New Rules
When January 1, 2000, rolls around, most California employers will have to pay overtime after eight hours in a day under the new daily overtime law. But adopting an alternative workweek schedule can help you avoid many daily overtime obligations so long as you follow the procedures set out in the new law. If you […]
Sick Leave Benefits: New Law Requires You To Allow Time Off For Sick Family Members; An Analysis Of The New Rules
Governor Gray Davis has just signed new legislation that requires employers to allow workers to use sick leave not only when they are ill, but also to care for a sick child or other family member. The law means many workers can now take paid time off – without being sick themselves – when, for […]
News Notes: Health Care Costs Expected To Jump In 1999-2000
Health care premiums are predicted to rise as much as 12% in the coming 12 months, according to a new survey by the human resource consulting firm Buck Consultants. Although managed care has come under attack recently for failing to live up to its promise of keeping health care costs in check, health maintenance organizations […]
News Notes: Poor Performance Review Leads to $517,000 Age Discrimination Verdict
A 56-year-old facilities coordinator who claimed her performance review was downgraded to justify her termination has been awarded $517,077 in damages. Dion Woodward sued Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Los Angeles for age discrimination after she was fired and allegedly replaced with a 38-year-old. Woodward worked for Kaiser for 31 years and claimed she always received […]
Defamation Claims: Employer Dodges Lawsuit By Employee Wrongfully Accused Of Theft; 3 Defensive Strategies
Whenever you discipline or terminate an employee for misconduct, you open yourself up to the possibility of a defamation lawsuit if you say something negative about the person to other employees. But as a recent case shows, exercising caution in internal discussions about a worker’s wrongdoing can help keep you out of trouble, or provide […]
Workplace Harassment: State High Court Approves Ban On Insulting Speech At Work; Will The Courts Start Managing Your Workplace?
When a group of Latino Avis Rent-A-Car employees at the San Francisco International Airport filed a harassment lawsuit charging a manager with using derogatory racial epithets, they were awarded more than $100,000 in damages. But the workers didn’t stop there. They also convinced the court to issue an order barring the manager from making offensive […]
Wage And Hour: A 10-Point Checklist To Help You Get Ready For The Return Of Daily Overtime
As we reported last month, major changes in overtime and other wage and hour rules will take effect on January 1, 2000. Because you’ll likely need to revise your policies and procedures to be sure you’re in compliance, we’ve prepared a 10-point checklist you can use to get a head start. The HR Management & Compliance […]