Category: Firm News

What California law has to say about non-compete agreements

Posted in Firm News on July 14, 2017

While it used to be that non-compete clauses, sometimes referred to as covenants not to compete or restrictive covenants, were only included in the contracts of high-level executives, employees with specific skill sets or those employed in certain competitive fields likes sales, this is no longer the case. Indeed, reports indicate more and more workers… read more

California’s employment protections for disabled workers

Posted in Firm News,Workplace Discrimination on July 13, 2017

Just because someone has a disability doesn’t mean they won’t be able to perform their job. Some, however, need different work arrangements in order to perform their work duties compared to co-workers that don’t have a disability. California law allows employees and job applicants with a disability to ask for reasonable accommodations. It also requires employers to… read more

New protections for transgender, gender-nonconforming workers in effect

Posted in Firm News,Workplace Discrimination on July 7, 2017

While most people associate the days in and around the July 4th holiday with fireworks and barbeques, it’s actually a significant time from a legal standpoint. That’s because July 1 is typically the day on which the state’s new laws, rules and regulations officially take effect. Indeed, consider that as of this past Saturday, employers… read more

Will smartphone apps become the new forum for reporting harassment?

Posted in Firm News,Sexual Harassment on June 30, 2017

For the last few weeks, our blog has been providing some essential legal background on the topic of sexual harassment — establishing facts, debunking myths, examining how it occurs — with the objective of empowering employees to take the necessary action. The need for such an exercise becomes readily apparent once you see just how… read more

Clarifying how sexual harassment occurs in the workplace

Posted in Firm News,Sexual Harassment on June 22, 2017

Last time, our blog discussed how even though we would like to think otherwise, an astounding number of workers in this nation are subjected to sexual harassment by co-workers, supervisors and even clients. Indeed, one survey found one in three working women between 18-34 have been sexually harassed at some point. Given this lamentable state… read more

Debunking some of the myths about sexual harassment

Posted in Firm News,Sexual Harassment on June 15, 2017

If an individual works in a place where the notion of someone being victimized by sexual harassment seems utterly inconceivable given a universal effort to treat everyone with dignity and respect, they should consider themselves fortunate. Indeed, an unacceptably large number of employees in this nation are subjected to this deplorable — and illegal —… read more

How can I use my paid sick leave?

Posted in Firm News,Wage & Hour Laws on June 8, 2017

As part of an ongoing mission to alleviate employee anxiety concerning the need to take time off for unexpected illness or medical treatment, our blog has been closely examining California’s Healthy Workplace, Healthy Families Act of 2015. As we discussed in previous posts, this landmark law establishes that qualifying workers in the Golden State —… read more

Can I take a break to eat at work?

Posted in Firm News,Wage & Hour Laws on June 6, 2017

One of the most common questions that California workers ask is also one of the most basic – “am I entitled to a break to eat?” In short, the answer is yes. Most people are entitled to at least one meal break for each shift they work. Hourly workers are also entitled to periodic rest… read more

Study finds physician mothers are not immune to workplace discrimination

Posted in Firm News,Workplace Discrimination on June 1, 2017

While there is a tendency to think that certain white collar professions are perhaps immune to discrimination owing to the education, skill set and education of workers, this is far from the reality. Indeed, those harboring any doubts should consider a recently published study in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine by researchers at the University… read more

How is paid sick leave allocated under California law?

Posted in Firm News,Wage & Hour Laws on May 25, 2017

Last week, our blog began discussing how many people often feel anxious about calling in sick to work, as some are concerned about falling behind or missing important meetings, and still others are fearful of possible retaliatory measures by their employer. To that end, we discussed how qualifying workers here in California — including full-time,… read more