Most employers know that dealing with employees who have alcohol issues can be a delicate process. On the one hand, there is a certain level of sensitivity to alcoholism because it is a known disease and a disability that is protected under the Americans with...
Year: 2015
What should be in employees’ proprietary information agreements?
One sign that a new business is going in the right direction is being able to hire new employees. It is an exciting an optimistic time for a business, but there also must be great care taken to ensure that trade secrets and other integral pieces of information are...
New law makes professional cheerleaders employees in California
In a couple of seasons, when you are cheering on your favorite NFL team, the women leading the cheers will be guaranteed at least minimum wage -- if they work for a team in California. A bill signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on July 15 amends the law so that...
Have you suffered employment discrimination due to a disability?
While everyone has certain limitations which they struggle to overcome in life, for individuals who are living with a disability, every day can be full of obstacles and challenges in both one's personal and professional life. In 2010, the U.S. Census Department...
Victims of sexual harassment: don’t be afraid to know your rights
There are plenty of people who dread going to work. Maybe they hate their job or don't like their boss, co-workers or clients. Some people just hate going to work because they would rather not be working. But there are people who don't just dread going to work; they...
UPS pregnancy discrimination case prompts EEOC updates
Readers may be aware that women are afforded certain protections in the workplace when they are pregnant. Under the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act, there are a variety of things pregnant women are protected from in the workplace, including discrimination in:...
California rules that Uber drivers are employees, not contractors
On June 3, the California Labor Commission made a ruling that could ripple through the economy in a number of ways. In the case of a San Francisco-based Uber driver who was seeking about $4,000 in expense reimbursements, the commission ruled that the driver was...
California Senate quickly passes equal pay bill
Equal pay is an issue that has garnered national attention recently -- and for good reason. With evidence showing that men continue to out-earn women for the same work, change is necessary to ensure equality in the workplace. Although California already has a law in...
Certain workers remain at high risk for wage discrimination
Virtually every American worker is at risk for some sort of wage discrimination. However, some workers are statistically more likely to suffer this kind of illegal treatment than others. Unfortunately, many of those who are most likely to be taken advantage of are...
When does it cross the line into sexual harassment?
Even those fortunate enough never to be the victim or witness of sexual harassment at work can likely imagine what a clear-cut case would look like. A harasser who fondles employees or makes clearly inappropriately sexual statements, and threatens victims with...