New Guidance – FFCRA Exemption

The Dept. of Labor has provided new guidance for those planning to apply for the FFCRA exemption: To elect for this small business exemption, you should document why your business with fewer than 50 employees meets the criteria set forth by the Department. This will be addressed in more detail in forthcoming regulations. You should…

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COVID-19 Epidemic – How It Impacts You (Part 2)

Question: If I cease operations, what happens to my employees You have two options: (1) Layoff your employees or (2) Furlough your employees Laying Off Employees Going this route, you are essentially terminating your employees with the possibility of later reinstating them. Make sure to pay your employees for all hours worked and any vacation/paid-time…

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Kim V Reins International California, INC – A Devastating Blow to Employers

The Court held that an employee’s individual settlement does not stop the individual from filing a PAGA lawsuit.  Due to the decision in Kim, Plaintiffs’ lawyers will be bringing many more frivolous PAGA suits, even after the “aggrieved employee” has been individually compensated. NOTICE: Attorney advertising; Attorney licensed to practice law in California only; Not…

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Employee V. Independent Contractor

What is the ”ABC” Test?  3 steps in determining if a worker in CA should be classified as an independent contractor for wage order purposes are:  (A) Worker is free from control & direction of hiring entity in connection with the performance of the work;and  (B) Worker performs work that is outside the usual course of…

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Limitation on Discrimination and Harassment Claims

Employees will now have 3 years, instead of I year, to file claims for discrimination, harass- ment, or retaliation with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing  The 1 year statute of limitations for filing a civil action after an employee files a FEHA (Fair Employment and Housing Act) complaint re- mains unchanged  The law…

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Concerns About AB 51

CA Judge Temporarily Blocks Forced Arbitration Law  U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller ruled that the CA Chamber of Commerce and other business groups had raised serious concerns about AB 51, a bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom due to arbitration agreements that obscured allegations of sexual harassment and assault.  Mueller issued a temporary restraining order…

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Joint Employer Liability

Statutory Joint Liability: CA Labor Code Section 2810.3 If employers with 25+ employees use five or more workers at a given time from a third party, then both the employer & third party may be responsible for the payment of wages to that worker  Factors that the courts consider are whether:  (1) Workers are provided…

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Resident Managers

How To Protect Yourself from Resident Managers  Pitfalls:  Not paying according to minimum salary require- ments  Job does not consist of at least 51 % of Managerial duties  Possible eviction issue when terminated  Solution:  Have a Written Agreement that combines Employ- ment Law with Tenancy Law, which allows Resident Managers to become legally compliant.  NOTICE:…

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California Minimum Wage Increase

Effective January 1, 2020, the C.A. minimum wage will increase to $13.00 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees & $12.00 per hour for employers with fewer than 20 employees  Various cities in C.A. have higher rates:  – Los Angeles, $14.50/hour for employers with 26 or more employees – San Francisco, $15.59/hour –…

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