Can Employers Round Time Punches For Meal Breaks in San Diego, CA?

California has some of the broadest employee protections in the country. Thanks to a new ruling by the California Supreme Court, employers can no longer round time punches for meal breaks. Rounding Time Punches for Meal Breaks Prohibited in California The case in question is […]

Can an employer deny an ADA reasonable accommodation request?

The Americans with Disabilities Act establishes certain requirements for employers regarding accommodations for employees with disabilities. One of these requirements applies to whether an employer may deny a disabled employee’s request for an accomodation. Employers must usually grant an employee’s accommodation requests unless it would […]

How to Find the Best Employment Lawyer for You

Employment lawyers handle cases related to federal and state employment laws. Employment laws govern a wide variety of issues, such as employee benefits, wages, harassment, discrimination, and terminating employment.  If you believe that your employer violated your rights, you may want to consult with an […]

Are Unpaid Internships Legal in California? 

It’s not uncommon for California employers to offer students and recent graduates unpaid internships instead of paid employment opportunities. They may present these internships as beneficial learning opportunities. However, you may wonder whether it’s legal to offer unpaid internships in California. The answer is “sometimes.” […]

What is a PAGA Claim and How Do I File One?

California workers are protected by a variety of federal and state labor and employment laws. The Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) is a state law that gives employees the right to file lawsuits against their employers for labor law violations.  A PAGA claim is different […]

What’s the Difference Between the EEOC and the California DFEH?

What is the difference between the EEOC and the DFEH? The simple answer is that the EEOC stands for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It is an independent agency within the U.S. government responsible for enforcing federal laws against workplace discrimination. California DFEH stands for […]

What Can I Do if I Was Misclassified as an Independent Contractor?

Being misclassified as an independent contractor can deny you the benefits and rights of an employee in California. For example, you may not be protected for work-related injuries, and you could pay higher taxes as a self-employed individual. In addition, as an independent contractor, you […]

Work from Home Laws in California

Many workers shifted to work from home during the state of emergency declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This required many employers and employees to adapt as they had never accommodated remote work before. California provides greater protection for workers than almost every other state […]

Can My Boss Deny My Time Off Request?

Has your employer denied your request for time off? Are you wondering if that is legal in California? The answer is “possibly.” California wage and hour laws do not force employers to give employees paid vacation time or paid time off (PTO). However, if your […]

Is Health Insurance a Right for California Workers?

Health insurance laws can be complicated as state and federal laws sometimes conflict. Moreover, the laws related to health insurance coverage change frequently, making it difficult for employees and employers to keep up with the changes. There is no state law in California requiring employers […]

Can My Employer Enforce a Non-Compete Agreement in California?

Employment agreements are standard in the workplace and seek to protect: Intellectual property Client lists Data Trade secrets And other valuable assets They also try to prevent key employees from taking a job with a competitor in the same market. In many states, employers may […]

California Minimum Wage Increases in 2021

California was the first state to commit to increasing the minimum wage for employees to $15 per hour. The minimum wage increase began on January 1, 2017, and increases annually based on the size of the company. By January 1, 2024, almost all employees in […]

California On-Duty Meal Period and Rest Period Update

Employees need to understand their rights to meal periods and rest periods. Most employees are entitled to rest periods and meal breaks during their shift. However, there is a difference between on-duty meal periods and rest breaks and off-duty meal breaks and rest periods. What […]

What Will a Lawyer Do in Negotiating a Severance in San Diego, CA

When the HR manager asks to meet with you, the result is rarely pleasant. Often these meetings result in an employee’s termination. Your employer may give you a reason for the termination, or they may not. You might be given the opportunity to resign instead […]

Can Jokes Be Considered Sexual Harassment?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed sexual harassment in the workplace. But for years after its enactment, men and women continued to endure the indignities and trauma of sexually invasive words and acts in their place of work.  One reason that sexual harassment and […]

Difference Between Lawyer and Attorney

What is a lawyer and when do you need one? Is an attorney a different professional and do they do a different job?  On television and the big screen, we often hear the words “lawyer” and “attorney” used to mean the same thing. But are […]