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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 […]

Benefits: DOL Proposes Rules Clarifying COBRA Notice Requirements; What You Need to Know

For the first time since 1986, the U.S. Department of Labor has proposed new rules affecting the COBRA notice requirements. COBRA rules affect individuals’ rights to continue group health coverage under certain circumstances. For employers the consequences for not giving written notice in accordance with COBRA rules can be steep, including having to pay an […]

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 […]

Jobless Rate Falls Near Two-Year Low

February 2011 saw the nation’s unemployment rate drop to 8.9 percent, the lowest in almost two years. Employers added 192,000 jobs last month and made significant gains in payroll. Although economists predicted a strong February report, the gains were still above market expectations. The job growth represented the biggest monthly jump since May of 2010. […]

Chinese-Language Paper Must Pay Millions for Wage-Hour Problems

A federal judge has ordered The Chinese Daily News, one of the Los Angeles area’s largest Chinese-language newspapers, to pay $5.19 million in a class action lawsuit that charged the paper refused to pay overtime and denied meal and rest breaks. Former employee Lynne Wang alleged that the paper required reporters to write five stories […]

News Notes: Reminder To Post Cal_OSHA 300A Log

From February 1 through April 30, 2004, most public and private employers are required to post the Cal-OSHA Form 300A annual summary log of injuries and illnesses that occurred in 2003. You must display the summary in a conspicuous place where you normally post notices to employees. During the posting period, you’re responsible for making […]