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News Notes: Need To Relocate Child Doesn’t Qualify For Family And Medical Leave

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that time spent moving a family member because of concern for the person’s well-being does not fall under the family and medical leave laws. Fe Castro Marchisheck submitted an emergency request for time off from her medical technician job at San Mateo General Hospital so she could take […]

Health Insurance: Will 2007 Be the Year for Universal Health Insurance?

Although California lawmakers were unable to pass a universal health insurance law during 2006, new proposals are now on the table. Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senator Don Perata have unveiled measures that would require businesses to provide health benefits to employees or pay into a state insurance pool that would provide health coverage.

Which Metro Areas Benefit from Best-Place-to-Live Rankings?

Despite the growing sophistication of telecommunications tools and employers’ increasing willingness to allow employees to work remotely, being located in a desirable location can be a draw for companies looking to attract top talent.

HHS Regs Offer Protection for Health Care Providers’ Moral Beliefs

In a remarkably last-minute fashion, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued final regulations protecting health care providers who withhold medical care based on conflicting moral beliefs. The rule, which covers federally funded health care providers, takes effect January 18, 2009 — the required 30 days after its under-the-wire December 19 […]

New Hourly Rates For Exempt Computer Pros

Under California wage and hour law, computer software professionals can qualify for overtime exemption if they meet certain duties requirements and are paid a specified hourly rate, set annually based on inflation rates by the state Department of Industrial Relations. On Jan. 1, 2007, the minimum hourly rate for exempt computer software professionals will be […]

Wildfires Tax Local Fire Departments, Raise Wage and Hour Challenges

Higher than normal temperatures and dry conditions have fueled significant numbers of fires this wildfire season, particularly in the Western United States. Wage and hour issues may be far from the first concern for state and local agencies and communities preparing for, or dealing with, wildfires, but it behooves savvy municipalities to think about possible […]

News Notes: Temps May Join Unions Where They Work

The National Labor Relations Board has said that temporary and contract workers who are jointly employed by a temp agency and the employer they work for may be included in union bargaining units together with regular employees in the client employer’s workplace. Temps don’t have to receive the same pay and benefits as regular employees, […]