Hourly employees working off the clock, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, should usually be paid – and overtime rules should apply. Otherwise, the employer may be breaking the law. Working off the clock can include things like: Staying late (after you’ve already punched out or your shift is over) to help out around the workplace Going to work early … Read More
Connor v. First Student, Inc., the CCRAA, the ICRAA, and Notification Requirements for Employment Background Checks
If you are like a large number of California residents, you are likely concerned about what exactly an employer is allowed to discover about you as part of their routine employee background checks. There are a large number of rules governing employee background checks, both federally and at the state level. One recent Supreme Court of California case revolved around … Read More
What Are Poor Working Conditions?
If you’re like many Californians, you’ve seen – and maybe even worked in – poor working conditions. Poor working conditions can include things like: Physically dangerous environments that could be improved Inadequate space utilization Bad lighting Non-ergonomic facilities for employees Anything that poses a hazard to employees, customers or visitors But do poor working conditions equal a lawsuit? Here’s what … Read More
Do You Need to Work With an Unpaid Wages Lawyer?
If you’re like many people whose employers have not paid for work performed, you know you could have an unpaid wages claim – but how much do you know about how these claims work and whether you need an unpaid wages lawyer? Some people are entitled to compensation because an employer fails to pay them what it owes. While you … Read More
What is the California Equal Pay Act?
The California Equal Pay Act, which works hand-in-hand with the Equal Pay Act of 1963 to prohibit sex discrimination between men and women when it comes to pay, ensures that employers pay male and female employees the same amount of money when they perform reasonably similar jobs – but there’s a lot more to it than that. The California Equal … Read More
What is Unfair Dismissal?
If you’re like many people who have lost a job, you suspect that your firing was an unfair dismissal – but what is unfair dismissal, and what can you do if it’s happened to you? What is Unfair Dismissal? Unfair dismissal is another term for wrongful termination, which is a legal phrase in California that refers to an employer illegally … Read More
What is Paid Parental Leave?
If you’re like many new moms and dads, you know that California employees are sometimes entitled to paid parental leave – but does it apply in your case? Here’s what you need to know. What is Paid Parental Leave? In the state of California, paid family leave – commonly called PFL – covers about 18.3 million workers throughout the state. … Read More
What is Paternity Leave in California?
In the state of California, paternity leave is a right under the law – but what are your rights, and what can you do if your employer denies them? Here’s what you need to know: Paternity leave is generally available to biological, foster and adoptive fathers Fathers must meet certain requirements to take paternity leave Dads may be eligible to … Read More
What Are Permanent Disability Benefits?
If you’re like many people in California who have suffered a permanent, work-related injury or health condition, you could be entitled to permanent disability benefits. But what are permanent disability benefits, and how much are you supposed to receive? Here’s what you need to know. What Are Permanent Disability Benefits? Permanent disability benefits are a type of payment that some … Read More
Troester v. Starbucks: California Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Employees Again
On the Federal level, 2018 has not been a great year for employees’ rights. On May 21, 2018 the Supreme Court of the United States (“SCOTUS”) issued a ruling, which struck a significant blow to the rights of employees to pursue collective actions in response to legal violations surrounding their employment in Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis (2018); employees across … Read More