Employers, you may want to take a seat for this… Recently, the Supreme Court of California ruled that under Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Order No. 7-2001, “all working employees shall be provided with suitable seats when the nature of the work reasonably permits the use of seats.” The court held that employers must examine the…
For the first time since 2005, the United States Department of Labor has issued an updated regulation automatically extending overtime pay eligibility to 4.2 million “white collar” workers previously exempted from the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime pay requirements. The updated regulation is almost certain to swell payroll costs and increase wage and hour lawsuits.…
Sandquist v. Lebo Automotive Inc. may seem like a typical employment lawsuit. However, it involves a very significant issue that has now been taken up to the California Supreme Court for resolution. The issue is who determines whether a class claim may be brought and heard before an arbitrator—the court or the arbitrator itself —when…
With the prevalence of class action lawsuits in an employee-friendly state like California, employers must be aware of proper time card rounding policies and what work is being conducted off the clock by their employees. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal recently issued a pro-employer decision approving the use of time card rounding and solidifying…
The issue of reimbursable expenses is often a hot topic amongst employees and their employers. While it seems obvious, for example, that an employee who uses his personal car to perform a work ‘errand’ will be reimbursed for his mileage, it is not often so cut and dry. What about the technician who buys his…
In Silicon Beach and throughout Los Angeles, offering meals to employees is becoming the norm. And not just any meals, but gourmet meals that cater to carnivores and vegans alike. While employees are thrilled, employers may be starting to look at their bottom line and question how long they can afford such a luxury. Perhaps…