California Labor and Employment Law

Why Cursing at a Judge is NOT a Good Idea

I just came across this news story where a fellow called a judge an “SOB” several times. The judge found him in contempt of court and sentenced him to nearly 3 years in prison. Newsflash: judges can throw people in jail for disturbing the decorum of the court. Think twice before taking on a judge. That probably goes for some lawyers too. To read more about it, go this link.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Minimum Wage is Now $8.00 per Hour

As of January 1, 2008, the minimum wage in California increased from $7.50 per hour to $8.00 per hour. For more information, go to the California Department of Industrial Relations.

Popularity: 27% [?]

Senate Passes Legislation to Strengthen Whistleblower Protection Act

Government employees who speak out against corruption, fraud or danger to public safety, usually at great cost to their careers and personal lives, have long found the door to justice slammed shut in their faces. U.S. officials have engaged in nothing less than all-out war to silence and punish whistleblowers. The courts, instead of upholding the law, have (more…)

Popularity: 85% [?]

New 2008 IRS Standard Mileage Reimbursement Rate is 50.5 Cents

Do you drive your car for your employer? If so, you should know that on November 27, 2007, the (more…)

Popularity: 31% [?]

Thou Shalt Not Send Emails from the Office

Does your employer have a policy that employees have no property right in their emails? If they’re like most employers, then the answer is probably yes. Then watch out. In New York, a judge ruled that a hospital’s email policy means a doctor’s emails to his lawyers are not protected by attorney-client privilege. Normally, communications with your attorneys are privileged and can’t be used against you in a lawsuit. But if you send the (more…)

Popularity: 34% [?]

House Passes Bill Banning Discrimination of Lesbians, Gays, Bis (but not Transgenders)

On November 7, 2007, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (”ENDA,” H.R. 3685), a federal bill which bans employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The vote was decisive at 235-184. The bill is backed by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, NAACP, ACLU, (more…)

Popularity: 40% [?]

DLSE: Retaliated Employees Need Not File with State Labor Commissioner

There has been some confusion among federal and state courts in California as to whether an employee who has been the victim of whistleblower retaliation by their employer (under Cal. Labor Code s. 1102.5) must first file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner (under Cal. Labor Code s. 98.7) before they can proceed with filing a lawsuit in court. This is important because it potentially creates yet another hurdle for an (more…)

Popularity: 51% [?]