Tag Archive

If you’re an employer in Humboldt County, you’re familiar with your obligations with respect to harassment and discrimination.  But, according to the federal governmental agency that oversees such claims, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the number one complaint against employers today is retaliation.  Retaliation complaints make up almost half of all complaints received by the EEOC.  In response to … Read More

In October 2015, California’s Governor Brown signed into law equal pay protections for California employees.  The legislation authored by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson to strengthen the older California Equal Pay Act and to rectify gender wage inequality.  The Fair Pay Act protects employees who discuss their pay or seek to enforce their rights from discrimination or retaliation by employers.  Employees now … Read More

Recently, a federal court in California certified a class action of Uber drivers who claim they are really employees and were misclassified by Uber as independent contractors.  Uber defended the class status of the Uber drivers, arguing that each driver, as independent contractors, had a special contractual relationship with Uber and couldn’t prosecute their individual claims as a class.  Drivers for … Read More

This month, the California Labor Commissioner has offered an opinion letter to help California employers interpret the requirements of the new Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014—otherwise known as the new sick leave law in California.  The opinion letter provides guidance to employers who have employees who do not work a traditional 8-hour per day schedule.  Humboldt County employers … Read More

Recent data available from the Census Bureau suggests that almost 11,000 Humboldt County residents identify as self-employed.  If you own and operate your own business, you’ve likely had occasion to consider California’s employment laws.  There is a great local resource for employers in Humboldt and Del Norte counties.  The Northcoast Employer’s Advisory Council meets regularly, typically in Eureka, to discuss … Read More

As of July 1, 2015, California’s new sick leave law is in effect.  At this time, Humboldt County employers need a written policy that specifically caps sick leave, or they will be subject to the required statutory accrual rate of one hour of sick pay for every 30 hours worked. If you are a Humboldt County employer and do not know … Read More

California’s Labor Employment Task Force (“LETF”) has just provided written guidance to employers about obligations for employing workers and what to expect during an inspection.  The LETF is a multi-agency enforcement task force in California charged with enforcing labor laws, particularly for underground employment industries, like car washes, restaurants, manufacturing, roofing, construction, agricultural and auto repair businesses.  For Humboldt County … Read More