Tips for Employees
Defamation in the Workplace (2023)
Introduction You hear it all the time: “I’m going to sue you for slander!” “You’ve defamed me, you’re going to hear from my lawyer!” “That’s libel! I’ll see you in court!” Sometimes you’ll read about a celebrity getting big dollars because a newspaper has libeled her. So what is “slander”? “libel”? “defamation”? And can you…
Read MoreBackground Checks — What Are My Rights?
If you’re applying for a job, or want to keep one, you’re going to have to accept that background checks are becoming a part of work life. An estimated 50% of resumes submitted by job applicants contain false or inaccurate information. Bad employees who slip through the hiring process can also create significant legal liability…
Read MoreI’ve Lost My Job – How Do I Get Unemployment Benefits? (2018)
Losing your job and being unemployed is no fun. But that doesn’t mean you have to lose your sense of humor. Go here to watch cartoonist Odd Todd’s take on losing his job. Now you’ve hopefully gained some perspective. Back to the task at hand. Benefits To help you get back on your feet and…
Read MoreIs Arbitration Good or Bad for Employees?
Answer: Bad. This question is often debated among attorneys, judges and arbitrators. Judges like arbitration because they’re chronically overworked. For instance, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California had the honor of being the second busiest federal district court in the entire country, with 11,585 civil
Read MoreWhy Legal Blogs Should Be Your First Stop
Legal blogs, or “blawgs” as they are sometimes called, can be a powerful legal research tool for those of you who haven’t gone to law school. Many blawgs make a special effort to reach out to non-lawyers by talking in a language “normal” people can understand. Heaven knows, many lawyers are far from normal. These…
Read MoreCan My Employer Break My Employment Contract? Can I? (2023)
Whenever it comes to contracts, the answer is always the same: it depends on what the contract says. A contract is a contract is a contract. Neither you nor your employer can breach a contract without facing the consequences. That is, unless the contract says it’s ok. This is why it is so important that…
Read MoreFree Legal Forms Meet Web 2.0
Most free legal forms you find on the web are about as good as you might expect for something that’s free – that is, not too good. That’s about to change. At DocStoc.com, users upload their own forms and agreements and share them with the rest of the world. Available documents include leases, independent contract…
Read MoreCan I Tape Record My Boss? (2023)
Here’s a question I hear every now and then from clients. The answer is: generally, no, you can not legally tape record conversation with your boss or anyone else without their permission or consent. In other words, you can’t do what the FBI does on TV when they put a wire on a snitch and…
Read MoreLegal Grind: Low-priced Legal Advice in a Café Setting
I get a lot of phone calls from clients seeking legal assistance on smaller matters, things that might fall into the small claims court or paralegal category. Some of these matters are also outside of my area, things like wills, health care directives, or real estate deeds. I can’t really refer these clients to other…
Read MoreGet Your Personnel File & Payroll Records Now (2023)
Did you know you have a legal right to inspect and get a copy of your personnel and payroll records? If not, you’re not alone. But more important, what are you waiting for? All employees, former and current, should check their personnel file and payroll records periodically to guard against unfair negative evaluations or warning…
Read More