Tag: california hr
Wage and Hour: Is It Legal to Suspend an Employee Without Pay as a Form of Discipline?
QUESTION: My company often sends employees home without pay for various offenses, such as egregious dress code violations, insubordination, and slacking off. Sometimes, the employee is told to return the next day, and sometimes the suspension runs for a few days or more while we investigate. I wouldn’t want anyone to know I’m asking, but […]
Religious Discrimination: Employee Wins $6.5 Million Jury Verdict Because of Manager’s Favoritism; Lessons for Employers
A Northern California woman has won a jaw-dropping $6.5 million by convincing a jury that she was passed over for promotion by a supervisor who favored employees belonging to the same religious group as the supervisor. We’ll explain the case and provide pointers for avoiding similar “reverse bias” problems.
E-Challenges: How Can We Get Employees to Follow Our Internet Usage Guidelines?
Ban on Gay Marriage Ruled Unconstitutional in California
In a divided 4-3 ruling, the California Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional state laws limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples.1 The case arose out of San Francisco’s move, back in 2004, to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. The decision was immediately challenged, and the California Supreme Court ruled then that the marriages were […]
Two New U.S. Supreme Court Rulings May Mean More Retaliation Suits
The U.S. Supreme Court has handed down two new rulings that give employees more leeway when suing employers for retaliation based on race and age.
Sexual Harassment: Recent EEOC Victories Underscore Need for Training and Vigilance
In recent weeks, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced a string of victories on behalf of employees in sexual harassment lawsuits. In one case, Specialty Restaurants Corp., based in Anaheim, agreed to pay $625,000 to settle a class action lawsuit charging that female workers were subjected to inappropriate touching, indecent and offensive […]
Sexual Harassment: Can Third Parties Sue for Harassment?
Recordkeeping: Can We Use Paperless I-9s?
Teens in the Workplace: What Employers Should Know, Part 1
It’s hard to believe, but summer is almost here. And if you’re planning on hiring young workers to add to your ranks during the summer months, now’s the time to read up on the special safety rules that apply to teens in the workplace. In fact, May is Safe Jobs for Youth Month in California. […]