Lawsuits: Proposition 64 Retroactive, Supreme Court Rules
The California Supreme Court has ruled that Proposition 64—approved by voters in November 2004—applies retroactively to cases pending at the time the measure took effect.
Archives
Privacy: California Laws Apply to Phone Calls from Out of State
The California Supreme Court has ruled that when an out-of-state business is on the telephone line with a California resident, the business can’t record the call unless it complies with a California privacy law requiring the consent of all parties to the conversation.
Seasonal and Temporary Employees: What Are the Risks?
Contingent employees can pick up the slack when business get busy, but structure the relationship carefully or their liabilities may linger long after they’re gone. Mid-summer traditionally means beach parties, picnics … and seasonal and temporary employees. It’s easy to see why. The jobs of vacationing employees have to be covered. Seasonal businesses are going […]
Short Takes: Bird Flu
What should our organization be doing about the pandemic flu threat?
Travel Requirements: Do We Have to Reimburse Pre-Hire Travel and Training?
We’ve got some questions about reimbursement for pre-hire travel expenses. For example, do we have to reimburse expenses for: Coming in for an interview from out of town? Going to a facility for a psychological test? Going for a drug test? Going for a physical? Coming in for training or briefings before coming on […]
You’re the Expert: What should our company be doing to prevent identity theft?
We have a lot of personal information on our customers and, of course, on all of our employees. What should our company be doing to prevent identity theft?
Handbooks: How Do We Handle Handbook Revisions?
We’re working on revising our handbook, and the process has turned up a few questions. What procedure should we use to distribute the changes? Anything special we need to keep in mind when we do this? We’re planning some significant changes. Do we need to remind our people of our policies on some schedule (e.g., […]
Exemptions: When We Move an Employee from Full- to Half-Time, Is the Person Still Exempt?
We have an exempt worker who is going to reduce her hours by half. She currently makes $54,000 a year, and we agreed to just cut that in half. We have other employees who will take over parts of her tasks. She knows she will lose her health benefits. But what about vacation, sick time, […]
Harassment: What Does the Recent “Spanking” Lawsuit Teach Us About Where Fun Ends and Harassment Begins?
The recent “spanking” lawsuit—where the “all-in-good-fun” spanking ended up with an expensive lawsuit—has got us thinking. We like our employees to enjoy themselves at work. How do we draw the line between fun, jokes, and good-natured teasing, and sexual—or other—harassment? — Gretchen, HR Manager in Morro Bay
Hiring: What Sort of Screening Should We Do for Various Employees?
We want to standardize our procedures for doing pre-employment background checks. What guidelines should we set up for which applicants get which checks? For example, who gets a criminal background check? Motor vehicle? Credentials verification? What do you recommend? — Ronald L., Office Manager in Chico