PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYERS FROM DEFAMATION SUITS BY ALLEGED HARASSERS A bill is working its way through the California Legislature that seeks to protect employers from potential defamation lawsuits by alleged harassers if the employer warns others about the person’s prior harassing behavior.  If passed, this will allow employers in California to avoid the mistake of hiring… Continue Reading

INTERNS…TO BE OR NOT TO BE … PAID As the summer months approach, many students will begin looking for work and some will offer to work for free as an “unpaid” intern, to gain experience in their chosen field.  Employers beware as there are very few instances in which an “intern” need not be paid. If… Continue Reading

THE NEW “ABC’S” OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS As California employers are well aware, the issue of whether a worker is properly classified as an “employee” or an “independent contractor” has long been a concern.  Misclassification can lead to potential legal exposure for claims of minimum wage, overtime, missed meals and breaks and failure to provide… Continue Reading

E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. E-Verify employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees by electronically matching information provided by employees on the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, against records available to the Social Security… Continue Reading

IMMIGRANT WORKER PROTECTION ACT RESTRICTS IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AT WORKSITES In 2017, Governor Brown signed the Immigrant Worker Protection Act (IWPA) which took effect on January 1, 2018. IWPA was California’s response to the anticipated increase in federal immigration enforcement efforts under the Trump administration and was aimed at providing workers some protections from federal immigration… Continue Reading