Employers…Avoid the Common Mistakes in Hiring Based on Criminal Background Checks.

By Rodrigo J. Torres, Esq. As part of an effort to hire the most desirable applicants, many employers run criminal background checks on applicants. While most employers are familiar with the required notices and disclosures before running background checks, many may not be familiar with California’s requirements that apply whenever an employer makes an employment […]

How To Handle Unemployment Insurance Claims By Employees Who Were Fired For Misconduct?

Unemployment benefits claims are ubiquitous in the employment landscape. “The fundamental purpose of California’s Unemployment Insurance Code is to reduce the hardship of unemployment by providing benefits for persons unemployed through no fault of their own.”[1] However, what can an employer do to challenge an unemployment claim by a claimant who was terminated for misconduct?[2] […]

Supreme Court Shockwaves Rocking the California De Minimis Terrain!

According to a recent California Supreme Court decision, California employers cannot require employees to work off-the-clock without compensation, even if only for a few minutes.  The Court’s ruling in Troester v. Starbucks should be a warning to all employers to review their timekeeping procedures to ensure that all time worked is recorded and compensated. Douglas […]

Cyber Liability Insurance Is Not an Option Anymore

By Muhannad A. Malki. Social Service agencies (both for profit and non-profit) working via contract with various Regional Centers and/or DMH (Department of Mental Health) are now being contractually obligated to carry Privacy/Cyber Liability Insurance. This has been a naturally progressing inevitability as Cyber risks and exposures continue to grow. Additionally, California recently enacted the […]

Janitorial Registration – Property Service Workers Protection Act

The Property Service Workers Protection Act is a law that went into effect January 1, 2017 to protect janitors against wage theft and sexual harassment. The Act has three parts: record keeping, registration with the Labor Commissioner’s Office, and sexual harassment training. The Act requires all janitorial employers to: Keep detailed records for three years (see below for […]

Class Action Arbitration Agreements

In its recent and much anticipated Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis decision, the United States Supreme Court upheld the use of class and collective action waivers in arbitration agreements. In light of the Epic Systems Corp. decision, attached is a sample arbitration agreement which includes a class action waiver. However, do not implement the agreement […]

California Announced A Dramatic Change in Independent Contractor Law

The California Supreme Court just issued a landmark decision that makes it extremely difficult for businesses to classify individuals as independent contractors. When making a decision about classification, companies previously analyzed the level of control they would exercise over the individual. Under the new test, a person will be considered an independent contractor only if […]