Tag: documentation

Reasonable Accommodation: Court Examines Limits to Employer’s Obligation to Engage in Interactive Process with Disabled Employee

By Jennifer Carsen Jan 1, 2004 Uncategorized

Updated: Jan 1, 2004

When Pacific Bell service technician Clarence Allen became disabled, his doctor told the company the disability prevented Allen from performing anything other than sedentary work. Allen then asked Pacific Bell to accommodate his disability by allowing him to return to his service technician position without requiring him to climb poles and ladders. Requested Accommodation Denied […]

Legislation Sepcial Report: Employee Leave

By Jennifer Carsen Jan 1, 2004 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

Leave for Crime Victims and Their Families Under SB 478, employees who are the victims of serious crimes and relatives and domestic partners of crime victims can take unpaid leave from work to attend legal proceedings. This new law applies to all employers, regardless of how many employees you have. Be sure to immediately update […]

Whistleblowers: Legislation Targets Corporate Accountability; New Whistleblower Protections, Posting Requirement, and Penalties Take Effect January 1

By Jennifer Carsen Nov 1, 2003 Uncategorized

Updated: Nov 1, 2003

Gov. Davis has approved legislation taking aim at corporate corruption. The new laws, modeled on the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act, protect employees who blow the whistle on possible corporate transgressions, create steep new fines for not disclosing corporate financial fraud, and add an important new workplace posting requirement. Here’s an overview of what you need to […]

Trade Secrets: Court Says Employer’s Insurance Policy Didn’t Cover Stolen Information; Are You Protected?

By Jennifer Carsen Jan 1, 2003 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

Employers take many steps to try to prevent the loss of trade secrets. You ask employees to sign nondisclosure agreements, implement security systems and train your workforce on how to keep information confidential. Despite your best efforts, a breach sometimes occurs and your trade secrets end up in a competitor’s hands. In a new case, […]

Background Checks: New Consumer Report Rules In Effect Now; What’s Changed

By Jennifer Carsen Nov 1, 2002 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

Last year, Gov. Davis signed into law some controversial state consumer report rules. And now the governor has signed two new laws, A.B. 1068 and A.B. 2868, that revise the complicated consumer reporting process. The changes have taken effect immediately—and impact how you conduct workplace investigations, background checks and reference checks. Internal Background Check Rules RepealedUnder […]

Workplace Discrimination: Ninth Circuit Makes It Easier For Employees To Sue When Employer Had Discriminatory–And Legitimate–Reasons For Discipline

By Jennifer Carsen Oct 1, 2002 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

Because of an important new Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, employers may now have an uphill battle to fight when faced with allegations that discrimination was one factor—even if not the only factor—in an adverse employment decision such as a termination. We’ll explain what this is about and suggest ways you can avoid this […]

Hiring Workers: Employers Fined For Illegally Checking Green Cards; Understanding Your I-9 Obligations

By Jennifer Carsen Jul 1, 2002 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

Although you’re required to determine the legal status of all workers you hire, you can get hit with discrimination complaints and fines if you ask for excessive documentation or single out particular groups, such as immigrants. And a spate of employer prosecutions by the federal Department of Justice for violation of a little-known rule involving […]