Employment Law Articles

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What is California Pay Transparency Law?

California's pay transparency law mandates businesses to publish pay ranges in job descriptions, aiming to eliminate wage disparities and promote equitable compensation practices. The law impacts both employers and employees by requiring transparent salary structures, prohibiting salary history inquiries, and empowering employees with the right to know and negotiate fair pay.

Employee Law in California

Employment law in California comprises a set of regulations and legal standards that govern the relationship between employers and employees in the state. These laws cover a wide range of areas including wage and hour requirements, anti-discrimination policies, workplace safety, and employee rights.

Laws that Prohibits Wrongful Termination

There are different types of federal and California laws that prohibit wrongful termination. This article identifies and discusses the different types of wrongful termination laws.

Working Off the Clock: California Law

Working off the clock means that employees' work is not paid. Under California employment law, employees working off the clock without compensation is illegal.

What Is Job Displacement Benefits Workers Compensation?

If an injured worker cannot return to long-term work because of a permanent disability. Under California workers' comp, the worker may receive a supplemental job displacement benefit of $6,000 that the displaced worker can spend for job training and education.

How to call in sick to work?

When calling in sick to work, be direct and concise, stating your inability to come in due to illness. Inform your supervisor or HR the nature of your illness and when you expect to return.

Equal Pay Act: What is it?

The Equal Pay Act an employers from paying their workers less than employees of the opposite sex for similar or identical work.

Exotic Dancer License & Stripper License

It is unlawful to work as an adult entertainer without a stripper license, called a "adult entertainment permit. Therefore, knowing how to get your stripping license is necessary to work in a adult club.

What Is A Hostile Work Environment?

The law defines an unlawful hostile work environment to mean when a superior or coworker communication or behavior that is offensive, intimating, or discriminate on the basis of gender, religion, race, ethnicity, etc.

Can you take unpaid time off in California?

There is no legal requirement in California that an employer provide its employees with either paid or unpaid vacation time. However, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives eligible employees the right to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year.

DFEH Right to Sue

To file a lawsuit for discrimination, you must file a complaint with DFEH and obtain a Right-to-Sue notice.

What Is Rate Pay Meaning?

The meaning of pay rate is the average hourly rate an employee is paid calculated by dividing the total pay for employment in a work week by the total number of hours actually worked.

California Break Laws

Under California law, non-exempt workers are entitled to two paid 10-minute rest breaks and one unpaid meal break during their eight-hour shift. 

Who is exempt from overtime pay?

As of 2023, to be exempt from overtime pay, any employees who are paid at least $62,400 per year and work are primarily professional, executive, creative, managerial, or intellectual and require the exercise of independent judgment.

Can Previous Employers Talk Bad About You?

There are no state or federal laws prohibiting what a previous employer can or cannot say about a former employee. However, previous employers are not permitted to make up lies to damage your reputation and make it difficult for you to get another job.

What happens if you get caught working under the table?

Generally, it is not illegal for your employer to pay you in cash. However, if the employer paid you under the table and did not report your earnings, you may be entitled to money damages under California Labor Code 226.

ADA Proof of Disability

An employer has no right to ask an employee to provide proof of disability unless the employee requests a reasonable accommodation and the employer does not believe disability exists.

FMLA Retaliation and Wrongful Discharge

An employer is prohibited from retaliating, interfering with, restraining, or denying an employee’s exercise of any FMLA right. If an employer wrongfully terminates an employee for FLMA taking medical leave, the worker could have a lawsuit against the employer.

Per Diem Employee Rights

A per diem employee is a worker who work on an as needed basis. A per diem employee does not have a regular schedule or shift but instead works hours as assigned.

Wrongful Termination Settlements

When a worker wins a wrongful termination lawsuit, the average payout amount is $9000 to $95,000, depending on how much the worker would have made during employment.

Can employer ask for proof of disability?

If a worker asks for reasonable accommodation, the employer can ask for proof of disability. However, an employer cannot ask for proof of disability if its part of a hiring decision.

What is an EDD Audit?

An EDD audit is a payroll tax audit initiated when a former worker you classified as an independent contractor applies for unemployment with EDD.  The EDD thinks you misclassified the worker as an independent contractor and audits your company. 

Using PTO for Paid Vacation Time

PTO is any time an employee gets paid while away from work, including paid vacation time. PTO is paid time off, meaning a worker may use PTO for any reason, such as paid sick leave or paid vacation time.

When to hire an employment attorney?

You should hire an employment attorney as soon as you are aware of the issue or believe something is wrong and that the employer is not remedying the issue, such as harassment, wrongful termination, or discrimination.

Is PTO Required by Law?

Employers in California are not required to provide any PTO, such as paid time off or paid or unpaid vacation, to their employees.

Are 10 Minute Breaks Mandatory in California?

Employers in California are required by law to give non-exempt employees one 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked. A non-exempt employee is generally a worker who is paid by the hour and not by salary.

Can PAGA Claims Be Arbitrated?

The U.S. Supreme Court clarified on June 15 that companies can compel arbitration of an employee's individual of an employee's individual PAGA claim, the non-individual claims should be dismissed.

Can you get fired for dating a coworker?

Most employment is generally at-will, so employers can fire an employee for dating a co-worker. However, if the co-worker you're dating was not fired, the employer firing you could be considered gender discrimination, and you can file a lawsuit.
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