by Susan R. Breslauer, SPHR-CA We recently received the following scenario and question regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) from a client: Our business has 3 separate companies with 60 employees in total related by ownership (the same owners for all 3...
Knowing as much as possible about an applicant's background is key to making a great hire. In this pursuit, most employers require job applicants to note any criminal convictions on the employment application prior to hire consideration. (In fact, our Silvers HR...
by Kim Silvers, SPHR-CA The Brinker Restaurant Corp v Superior Court case regarding the timing and requirements around meal and rest breaks for non-exempt employees has been in the courts for over eight years. We finally have a decision! Bottom line: no one thinks...
By Mike Ruppenthal, Ovation Payroll When you’re running a business, you’ve got a lot going on and a lot on your mind. Yes, there are numerous small tasks you have to do each day, but your main focus needs to be on what your company or organization does best, which...
We’ve seen some recent legal activity around the itemized statements (aka “check stubs”) that is concerning and costly to California employers. Employers are being socked with outrageous penalties and legal fees for simple oversights on pay stubs. Today, take time...
By Kim Silvers, SPHR-CA A California Court of Appeal ruled this month in Aleman v. AirTouch Cellular that employees attending a pre-scheduled meeting time that ends early are not required to be paid for a minimum of 2 hours reporting time pay as long as the meeting...
By Mary F. Patterson What are an employer’s obligations regarding merit increases and bonuses to employees returning from military service? According to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) employers must treat returning...
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) released its Final Rule requiring a workplace posting for most US employers. The posting will outline employees’ rights to form, join or assist a union under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Under the Final Rule,...
By Susan R. Breslauer, SPHR-CA It happens...an employee goes on an unpaid personal leave and there is a payroll glitch. When the employee returns, the Human Resources Manager (you) realizes that the employee continued to receive paychecks during his/her month of...
Heat Illness Prevention Program Required for Outdoor Employees Cal OSHA requires all employers with outdoor worksites to have a specific program and training in place to prevent heat illness. Summer (surely) will arrive soon in northern California. We encourage...
HMMM – Who Isn’t Disabled Now? Employers Obligations Continue to Grow By Kim Silvers, SPHR-CA The court cases, regulations and legislation just keep coming – mostly in favor of employees who have or may be regarded as having a disability. Employers should take heed...
The ongoing court battles over who is responsible for ensuring an employee takes his/her meal break within the required time continues to rage on in California. In our last newsletter we told you about a significant decision (Hernandez v. Chipotle Mexican Grill) that...
By Kim Silvers, SPHR-CA Several recent employment related court cases have set out the standards for employers who allow employees to use company technology resources (email, texts, voice mail, social media, etc.). In this day, everyone uses some technology and the...
By Tina Angell, Owner Cybertary.com Roseville/Granite Bay Office “I have learned to do so much with so little, I am able to do everything with nothing.” ~Anonymous When a business is facing challenging times, as is the case for many right now, they inevitably have...
By Kim Silvers, SPHR-CA A new twist has been added to the California employment scene. Employers who are not up to speed on their Industrial Wage Order (IWO) requirements may find themselves in court for violation of a little known requirement that employees be...
By Kim Silvers, SPHR-CA Good news for California employers last week... A California Court of Appeal determined in Hernandez v. Chipotle Mexican Grill that the employer must only provide meal periods for non-exempt employees, rather than ensure they are taken. This...
Whoa! Where Did Those Profits Go? By Cathy Rasmusson, MHA, Principal Consultant, Healthy Business Designs Times are lean - is your company keeping a competitive edge? Businesses are challenged every day with how to remain competitive and generate profits,...
The Top 10 Tips for Working with Difficult People Dealing with difficult people is ...well, difficult for most of us. Hostile and aggressive people put us on the defensive, cause us anxiety, frustrate our coping skills, and take us out of our comfort zones. Here are...
New Paid Leave is Signed into Law for CA Employees By Susan Breslauer, SPHR California's first paid leave law was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger on Sept 30, 2010. The new law will go into effect on January 1, 2011. Known as the Michelle Maykin...
Big Bang! is the annual UC Davis Business Plan Competition organized by MBA students of the Graduate School of Management. The goal of the contest is to promote entrepreneurship at UC Davis and the region supported by the University. Check out the Big Bang website