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State Starting to Revise Work Area Access Rules in Response to Feds

Our company is preparing for extensive upgrading of its facilities, including access and work surfaces. Has California’s Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Standards Board...

Opinions Can Differ on What’s a ‘Reasonable’ Cost for Work Shoes

My company is in the manufacturing industry, and due to the nature of the business, our employees are required to wear safety shoes at...

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...

Answers to Common State Disability Insurance Questions

How long can an employee collect State Disability Insurance (SDI)? Will SDI benefits be reduced if an employee collects sick, vacation or Paid Time...

New Rule Bans Retaliatory Drug Testing of Employees Who Report Injury

Our company has a mandatory drug testing policy in the event of an accident/injury. Does the new federal regulation incorporated into the record-keeping requirements...

Options for Paying Outside Salesperson Include Hourly or Salary Basis

I usually see information about paying outside salespeople commission payments. Is it OK to pay a salary and follow the minimum salary rules for...

Smelly Smoker Can Be Cause for Discipline, But Remember Other Rights

Our employee is a smoker and comes in from breaks reeking of cigarette smoke. What can I do? Also, can I ask applicants if...

Does School Activities Leave Law Include High School Graduation?

Do I have to allow my employee to attend her grandson’s high school graduation? We approved her request 2 months ago but now we...

Workers’ Comp Doctor Not Final Say on Employee’s Condition

One of my employees has been out on a leave of absence due to a work-related injury for almost a year now. My workers’...

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...