Double Trouble for Employers?

A new program launched by the U. S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the American Bar Association (ABA) in late 2010 could mean more employment-related lawsuits this year.

The program, part of the Obama administration’s Middle Class Task Force initiative, is designed to help workers resolve complaints received by DOL’s Wage and Hour Division, such as not getting paid the minimum wage or overtime or being wrongfully denied family medical leave, according to a press release from the White House. 

The DOL resolves more than 20,000 employment-related complaints every year, according to the White House, but limited resources prevent the agency from pursuing more complaints.

In December 2010, the DOL began providing some workers with a newly created toll-free number that will connect them with an ABA-approved attorney referral service so they can find a qualified lawyer to help with their claims, according to the White House.

The program is a first-of-its kind partnership between a federal agency and the private bar, according to a press release from the ABA. The ABA said it will use its role as national coordinator of state and local bar association Lawyer Referral and Information Services to help provide access to individuals with employment-related legal problems.

 

CalChamber members can use HRCalifornia’s Law Library to get detailed information on wages  and leaves of absence. Also, CalChamber members can use the Leave Interaction Wizard to understand how leaves of absence overlap.

Not a CalChamber member? Test-drive HRCalifornia with a 15-day Free Trial.

Costa Mesa Seminar Update, and Employment Law Tip of the Day

Hello again from the road. We are headed to San Diego for another day of seminars. During Wednesday’s seminars in Costa Mesa, we not only discussed new laws   but also medical leaves. We’ll do the same in Thursday’s seminars in San Diego.

Our Employment Law Tip of the Day relates to medical leaves:

Pregnancy disability leave (PDL) does not have length-of-service requirements, like the federal Family Medical Leave Act and the California Family Rights Act. Therefore, an employee would be entitled to PDL immediately at time of hire.

Thanks to all who attended the Costa Mesa seminars. 

Erika Frank and Susan Kemp

CalChamber's Labor Law Digest, updated for 2011, covers new laws, new court cases and federal and state medical leaves and how the leaves interact.CalChamber members get 20 percent off on all compliance products and services offered by the Chamber. Not a CalChamber member? Test-drive HRCalifornia with a 15-day Free Trial.

 

Seminar Update, and Employment Law Tip of the Day

Good day from Costa Mesa. We just completed a successful HR 101 seminar on Tuesday, and we're looking forward to another day in Costa Mesa to talk about court cases and regulations in the morning and leaves of absence in the afternoon.

Tip of the Day:

Terminated employee final pay: Make sure you have the final paycheck ready for the employee you are terminating at the time of termination. Failure to do so may expose you to waiting time penalties.

For more information on final paycheck requirements, CalChamber members can visit the Wages, Salaries and Other Pay section of the Law Library on HRCalifornia. Not a CalChamber member? Test-drive HRCalifornia with a 15-day Free Trial.

Thank you,

Erika Frank and Susan Kemp

 

Hello from HR Seminars and Sunny Southern California!

Today we began in Glendale where we conducted our first HR 201 seminar of the year where we discussed changes in state and federal laws that could affect you and your business. We had a good turnout and lively discussion about a number of hot topics. As we travel down the South Coast we will share HR tips and information about our next live seminar stops.

Tip of the day: Employers must provide the Earned Income Tax Credit Notification to employees no later than one week after the employer provides W-2s to employees.

Tomorrow and Wednesday you’ll find us in Costa Mesa for the next HR 201 seminar and for our PDL/FMLA/CFRA seminar which covers the basics on these types of leaves of absence.

Hope to see you there!

Erika Frank and Susan Kemp

Join Us For Live Seminars in Southern California

We're looking forward to a week in Southern California where we may actually get to see the sun. It's time for the annual 2011 HR 201 Update seminars in Glendale, Costa Mesa and San Diego. 

We can't wait to see all the people who regularly attend our HR 201 Updates to learn what the new year brings.

Don’t forget, we'll be there for HR 101: Introduction to HR Administration and PDL/FMLA/CFRA 101. If you're already familiar with PDL/FMLA/CFRA, you might be interested in the upcoming February 10^th webinar — PDL/FMLA/CFRA 201.

As a bonus, CalChamber members get 20 percent off the seminar price.If you're not a CalChamber member, try us out with a 15-day Free Trial.

Hope to see you there!

Erika Frank and Susan Kemp