July 1 Local Minimum Wage Hikes Don’t Change Exempt Salary Test
A local minimum wage applies to our nonexempt employees. When the minimum wage increases on July 1, does that mean the salary test for...
Social Security Administration Resumes Sending ‘No-Match’ Letters
Employers haven’t seen “no-match” letters from the Social Security Administration (SSA) since 2012 but that’s about to change.
In March 2019, the SSA resumed sending...
California Law Prohibits Questions About Gender on Job Applications
Our job application asks applicants to state their gender. Is that allowed under California law?
California law prohibits employers from asking, either directly or indirectly,...
U.S. High Court Reverses Equal Pay Case; Judge Can’t Adjudicate from Beyond Grave
The U.S. Supreme Court has reversed a Ninth Circuit court case because the judge who wrote the opinion died before the opinion was issued...
Requests for Personnel Files, Payroll Records—Required Timing Differs
A former employee has asked for a copy of her personnel file and payroll records. Do I have to provide these to her? And...
Class Action Settlement Doesn’t Prevent 2nd Lawsuit
An employee who was a member of a wage-and-hour class action settlement with her employer, is able to pursue a subsequent lawsuit against her...
State Meal/Rest Break Rules Include Limited, Industry-Specific Exceptions
Are there any exceptions to California’s meal and rest break rules?
As California employers know, employees in California are entitled to a 30-minute off-duty unpaid...
Surrogate Pregnancy: Same Protections, Leave Rights Generally Apply
One of my employees is a gestational surrogate. What leave laws would apply to her?
A gestational surrogate is someone who carries a pregnancy and...
Caveats on Deducting from Exempt Employee’s Salary for Sick Time
An exempt employee has missed two days of work this week because she was sick, but she has used all her sick leave. Can...
National Medical Support Notice Requires Timely Response
I received a National Medical Support Notice for one of my employees. What is this notice and how do I respond?
A National Medical Support...
New Parent Leave Act Applies to Employees Not Subject to FMLA/CFRA
How does the New Parent Leave Act interact with the federal Family Medical Leave Act/California Family Rights Act?
Beginning January 1, 2018, California’s New Parent...
Only Qualified Representative Can Complete Form I-9 for Remote Hires
My office is located in San Francisco and I am hiring an employee who will work remotely in San Diego. Can I contract with...
Court Says True Rest Break Means Giving Up Control of Employee
Can we require employees to remain on our premises during rest breaks?
The answer to this question was much simpler before the California Supreme Court’s...
SF Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program Offers Compliance Options
What is the Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program and what does it require of employers?
The Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program (Program) is a program...
Employer Obligations When Employees Pump Breastmilk at Work
One of my employees recently had a baby and is asking for several breaks during the day to pump breastmilk. What do I need...
City Ordinances in LA, SF Limit Use of Criminal Background Checks
Are there any local laws that affect criminal background checks?
Employers conducting criminal background checks in California are limited by state and federal law in...
Some Parts of New Federal Overtime Rule Don’t Apply in California
Can California employers count bonuses and commissions toward the new federal salary requirement? Can employees in California be classified as exempt under the “highly...