California Labor and Employment Law

I’ll Be Taking A Brief Break from Posting

My work schedule for the next month is going to be very tight so posts may become more sporadic. I’ll let you all know as soon as I am able to get back to more regular posting. If you’ve got questions, feel free to click on the “Ask An Attorney” tab at the top and drop me a line. Thank you!

Popularity: 9% [?]

A Judge Is (Finally) Forced to Step Down

A little while ago, I posted about Judge James Brooks. He had engaged in shenanigans that turned a trial into a circus and humiliated Michelle Reinglass, one of the leading plaintiff-side trial lawyers in California. Well Judge Brooks has finally gotten what was coming to him. (more…)

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10 Signs You’re About to be Fired

Getting fired doesn’t always involve a dramatic showdown meeting with your boss who tells you to pack your things and get out. In an age where employers are paranoid about getting sued by fired employees, firing an employee is often more complicated, involving many subtle steps. As an (more…)

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‘If you’ve got a job, hang on to it’

It looks like the proverbial bullpucky is hitting the economic fan.

According to an Associate Press news article, Huge Job Losses Set Off Recession Alarms, the U.S. economy lost almost a quarter million jobs in the first three months of 2008 alone. That’s a staggering rate. (more…)

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Fired Chase Manhattan Employee’s Recovery for FMLA Violations Could Exceed $7 Mil.

According to a Law.com news article, FMLA Verdict Could Cost Chase Manhattan $7.6 Million, Nicholas Lore, a 63-year old Chase Manhattan regional manager who was fired after making several requests for medical leave for a serious health condition under FMLA (Family Medical (more…)

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Fat-ism More Widespread than Racism

Did you know that it is NOT illegal to discriminate against someone because they are fat? There are federal and state laws against discrimination based on race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, religion, etc. However, Michigan stands alone in having an anti-fat-ism law. (more…)

Popularity: 23% [?]

An Act of Goodness

Ever come across a story that just leaves you speechless? Here’s the story that did that to me. I hope it brings a smile to your face, just like it did to mine.

Starbucks barista Sandra Andersen only knew Annamarie Ausnes as an upbeat customer who would come in the mornings (more…)

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Our National Deficit – Who Do I Blame?

Is anyone else concerned about the direction our country is heading towards? Because I know I am. Here is just one symptom of the problem, our nation’s skyrocketing budget deficit. The US has charged up its credit card like a spoiled teenager. And I believe there’s going to be hell to pay when the bill finally comes due. The fact that the world community is shunning US dollars, driving the decline of the dollar, is but a sign of (more…)

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Starbucks Baristas Win $105 Million Class Action Judgment

Fellow attorney Terry Chapko reports a $105 million award to 120,000 former and current baristas in a class action tip-sharing lawsuit against Starbucks. The suit was initiated in October 2004 by Jou Chau, a former barista in La Jolla, CA, who alleged Starbucks (more…)

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What Break Periods Am I Entitled To?

Under California law (which is much more generous to employees than federal law), if you are a non-exempt worker, you are entitled to meal and rest breaks: a 30-minute meal break if you work more than 5 hours in a workday, and 10 minutes breaks for every 4 hours you work. There are other requirements though. If your boss doesn’t comply with break requirements, they are required to pay you one extra hour of regular pay for each day on which a break violation occurred.

For the nitty gritties, see below: (more…)

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