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California

Warn bosses: No retaliation against whistleblowers who report wrongdoing

03/28/2016
Remind supervisors that retaliating against workers who report alleged criminal or other illegal activity may violate the California Labor Code.

Back up subjective performance-review assessments with concrete examples

03/28/2016
When it comes to evaluating employees, supervisors and managers sometimes rely too much on subjective measures. Some employees allege that such generalizations are merely a way to cover up bias.

Pregnant employee: Does her boss know how to respond?

03/03/2016
When an employee shares the news of her pregnancy with her manager, it may bring on mixed emotions. While the supervisor may be happy for the employee, the realities of scheduling and productivity will weigh heavy on his or her mind.

Can I tell employees they better not vote for a particular political candidate?

02/25/2016

Q. With the upcoming presidential elections, conversation among our employees has increased concerning the candidates and their positions on certain issues. I overheard an employee supporting Donald Trump, a candidate who goes against all of my core beliefs. Can I tell him that any employee of mine cannot support Trump?

Long Beach switches on minimum-wage escalator

02/25/2016
On Jan. 20, the Long Beach City Coun­­­­cil voted 6–2 to approve a multi-year plan to raise the city’s minimum wage as a way to reduce poverty.

Hot yoga founder to pay $900K to settle harassment case

02/25/2016

A Los Angeles jury determined that Bikram Choudhury—founder of the “hot” movement that has swept the yoga world since the 1970s—harassed and retaliated against an employee after she resisted his sexual advances.

Arbitrator may decide issues to be covered

02/25/2016
A federal court has concluded that an employer and employee can agree that claims will be arbitrated and that an arbitrator can decide if the parties had the right to agree on the subject matter.

Lawsuit deadline depends on when real impact occurred

02/25/2016
If you use a testing list to make hiring or promotion decisions, know that the date you announce the list doesn’t count towards any statute of limitations. Instead, the date of the first promotion or hire starts the clock ticking.

You can establish rule calling for discharge if injury causes lengthy absence

02/25/2016
A reasonable rule that says an employee will be discharged if she has been off work with an injury for one year or more is legal under California law.

Is it a trend? Another California court modifies arbitration agreement instead of tossing it out

02/25/2016
A California appeals court has decided that, rather than tossing out an arbitration agreement, it would delete the parts it found unconscionable and then send the case to arbitration.