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Wage and Hour: Minimum Wage Going Up in California; What Employers Must Know

When Gov. Schwarzenegger signed legislation last month that will raise California’s minimum wage to $8.00 per hour from the current $6.75 per hour, he put the state on course to have the highest minimum wage in the nation when the full hike takes effect. The rate increase will take effect in two stages: minimum wage […]

Short Takes: Pregnancy Leave

Does pregnancy leave have to be paid? Our HR Management & Compliance Report: How To Comply with California and Federal Leave Laws, covers everything you need to know to stay in compliance with both state and federal law in one of the trickiest areas of compliance for even the most experienced HR professional. Learn the […]

Federal Contractors: Government Drops EO Survey

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has finalized a rule eliminating the requirement that non-construction federal contractors periodically file an equal employment survey known as the “EO Survey.” The Clinton administration introduced the survey in 2000, but it was widely criticized for being burdensome to contractors and not providing the OFCCP with the […]

Business Travel: Can You Help Us Sort Out Nonexempt Travel Time Pay?

We’ve got issues regarding nonexempt travel pay. Many of our nonexempts travel, typically leaving their homes on Sunday afternoon for an all-day Monday meeting, and then returning home late Monday night. In addition to reimbursing their travel expenses, what pay do we owe them for the travel on Sunday afternoon and Monday night? Is it […]

Employment Law Tip: The Risks of Business Travel Abroad

In light of current events, including the unrest in the Middle East and the recent terrorist plot uncovered in London, it’s wise to take a close look at what you can do to ensure the safe passage of employees who are required to travel abroad as part of their jobs. Here are three tips: Check […]

Disability Bias: New Fact Sheet on Hearing Impairments in the Workplace

In the latest in a series of facts sheets focusing on specific disabilities, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) provides guidance on how the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to applicants and employees who are deaf or hearing impaired. This is an important focus for employers, given that there are between 28.6 and 31.5 million […]

Pension Plans: DOL Finalizes Form 5500 Electronic Filing Rule

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has published a final regulation requiring pension plans to file Form 5500 annual reports electronically, beginning with 2008 plan year filings (due in 2009). The agency has also proposed changes to update the forms that will be used under the new electronic system. For information […]

Accommodations: Jury Award for Agoraphobic Worker Slashed by $4 Million

In May, we reported that a Sonoma County jury awarded $6.5 million to county MediCal caseworker George Alberigi, who claimed the county’s human services department refused to accommodate his agoraphobia (fear of going outside) and panic disorder when he applied for a promotion. The jury’s verdict included $1.5 million in economic damages and just under […]

Employment Law Tip: What Makes a Good Interviewer?

Hiring the right people is key to a company’s success. And the job interview is one of the most important ways you can assess whether someone is a good fit. So how can you get the most out of interviews? A good place to start is to ensure that the interviewer has the right skills […]

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 […]