California-Specific HR Certification Available Soon
Beginning in April 2007, California HR professionals will have the opportunity to earn a California-specific HR certification, the first of its kind.
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Departments Release Health Care Reform Regulations on Preventive Care
On Monday, July 19, the Federal Register published interim final regulations from the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury requiring new health plans beginning on or after September 23, 2010, to cover certain evidence-based preventive care without cost sharing. In other words, plans cannot charge patients copayments, coinsurance, or […]
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 […]
Wage And Hour: Union Sues Shanghai Firm That Delivered Gigantic Cranes
A Bay Area iron workers union has filed a lawsuit against Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery Co. Ltd., the firm that recently delivered four gigantic cranes to the Port of Oakland, charging that the company is violating state labor laws. The union contends that as many as two dozen Chinese workers were paid between $4 and […]
Off-Duty Activities: Legislation Creates New Protections For Job Applicants, Broader Remedies For Employees
Gov. Davis has signed a new measure, A.B. 1015, that creates new labor law protections for job applicants’ outside activities and political interests and strengthens remedies employees already have. The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2002, and applies to most public and private employees with a few exceptions. We’ll cover the key points.
House Votes to Boost Minimum Wage
By a vote of 315 to 116, the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to approve legislation that would boost the federal minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 per hour in three steps over a period of 26 months. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration. Under the legislation, the federal […]
News Notes: EEOC Expands Anti-Discrimination Protection To Undocumented Workers
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued new enforcement guidelines stating for the first time that federal anti-discrimination laws protect undocumented workers. According to the EEOC, illegal immigrants who are subjected to workplace discrimination, sexual harassment or retaliation can sue their employers and receive lost wages, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. A court could also […]
News Notes: Feds Allow Use Of Unemployment Funds For Leave, But Status In California Unclear
The Department of Labor has put into place controversial regulations that would let states use unemployment insurance money to fund family and medical leave. The new rules broaden the scope of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, so that workers could receive up to 12 weeks of paid leave if they take time off […]
Sexual Harassment: Proposed Training Rules Go Through Another Revision
Last week, the proposed regulations to implement A.B. 1825 went through yet another round of modifications.
Telecommuting: A VIP Benefit?
Employees often view the telework option as a form of recognition. They may see it as a privilege earned through good performance. Unfortunately, they also may see the work-life perk — offered to some, but not all — as an entitlement, or worse, they may see lack of telecommuting privileges as an inequity caused by […]