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Compensation & Benefits

States take lead on paid family leave laws

05/31/2018
With the legislative agenda bogged down on Capitol Hill, look for states to step up efforts to enact laws that mandate some form of paid family leave. Some recent initiatives have resulted in signed legislation, while others have fallen short.

California legislature considers a dozen new employment laws

05/30/2018
Like a pride of lions flashing teeth and fangs, the California legislature is on the hunt in 2018. As has become an annual spring ritual, Sacramento politicians have once again proposed a progressive labor agenda.

Probation for Oakland plan trustee caught skimming funds

05/30/2018
A trustee of a benefit plan for employees of an Oakland metalworking company must serve one year of probation and make restitution for violating the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Follow rules to set alternative workweek schedule

05/30/2018
California wage-and-hour law can be complicated. For example, California allows establishment of something call­­ed alternative workweek schedules. Employees have to approve an AWS by voting via a secret ballot.

Tip pooling: What’s fair and reasonable?

05/30/2018
Under California Labor Code section 351, employers may pool tips and distribute them in a manner that is “fair and reasonable.” What that means in practice depends on the circumstances.

Some DOL ‘prevailing wage’ scales based on data from the 1980s

05/29/2018
The U.S. Department of Labor, which is in charge of enforcing the Davis Bacon Act, is setting prevailing wages for some occupations based on data collected more than 30 years ago.

Injured at company softball: Does he get workers’ comp?

05/21/2018
Advice: Draw a clear line between the activity and your organization’s involvement.

Fix it fast: How to handle an uncashed paycheck

05/17/2018
Your options: You can either void uncashed checks or hold them open on your books. Hiccup: Banks generally won’t honor checks that are older than six months, so your employees won’t be happy either.

Minneapolis gears up to enforce Safe and Sick Time Ordinance

05/16/2018
Since Minneapolis’s Safe and Sick Time Ordinance took effect last July, the city has been working with employers to help them comply with the law. For almost a year, the city has levied no fines. That will all end on July 1.

Fired for doing no work? No unemployment, either

05/16/2018
Employees who are fired for refusing to work can’t collect unemployment benefits. Failing to work is considered willful misconduct.