Legal News Articles

California Labor Law: Last Word on the Lunch Break Lawsuit

Sacramento, CA The California Supreme Court finally handed down a unanimous decision on April 11, 2012, in Brinker Restaurant Corp. v. Superior Court, after more than three years. The court ruled on two important California labor law issues: what it means to "provide" a meal period and when a second meal period is due.

May 14, 2012

CALIFORNIA LABOR LAW

CSU Faculty Vote to Strike under California Labor Law

Sacramento, CA Were it to happen, a full strike by faculty at all 23 campuses of the California State University (CSU) system would constitute the largest work stoppage in the history of higher education in the US. The dispute isn't quite at that stage yet??"however, within the confines of California labor law, the building blocks are now in place to facilitate such an event.

May 7, 2012

CALIFORNIA LABOR LAW

Sexual Harassment amongst Officers—California Labor Law Violation

Concord, CA Judging from a recent settlement and separate lawsuit, it would appear that some people in uniform don't understand that sexual harassment is a violation of the California Labor Law. In March, a lawsuit was filed against a male probation officer, accusing him of sexual harassment, and yet another sexual harassment suit was settled by the city of Concord regarding an employee who claimed she was sexually harassed by a female police officer.

April 30, 2012

CALIFORNIA LABOR LAW

Car Dealership's "RO System"—Violation of California Labor Law?

Dublin, CA Percy works as a mechanic at a car dealership that operates with a closed Repair Order (RO) system. This system means that Percy and other mechanics don't get paid until the store gets paid, which may be a violation of the California labor law.

April 9, 2012

CALIFORNIA LABOR LAW

Tragic Deaths of Two Brothers May Have Involved Violations of California Labor Law

Sun Valley, CA A potential violation of California labor law in tandem with other alleged safety violations may have contributed to the deaths of two brothers while working at a prominent composting and recycling facility in California last October. The younger of the two brothers was only 16 at the time he died and was tasked with work that may have been in violation of California labor code.

April 2, 2012

CALIFORNIA LABOR LAW

Workin' at the Car Wash Blues

Los Angeles, CA Anyone who recalls the goofy movie called Car Wash that came out in the 1970's will remember the funky, laid-back sense of fun that employees of the cinematic car wash were having. But of course, with anything Hollywood, more often than not what you see on screen is far from reality. And if California labor law is any indication, the state wants to keep the playing field real and fair for car wash employees.

March 19, 2012

CALIFORNIA LABOR LAW

Pregnancy Discrimination Will Result in California Labor Lawsuit

Los Angeles, CA It seems almost medieval that employers would fire someone for being pregnant, and incredulous to think they could get away with it. Pregnancy discrimination is a violation of the California Labor Law and the state of California has the strongest parental leave programs and protections in the nation, according to a study from 2005.

March 12, 2012

CALIFORNIA LABOR LAW

For Those Who Violate California Labor Law, There's a New Sherriff in Town…

Oakland, CA Employers who chronically underpay and otherwise take their employees for a ride in deference to California labor law will have a new enemy in the fight for workers' rights, fairness and equality. To that end, the Labor Commissioner for the state of California has announced the launch of a Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) tasked with rooting out the evildoers and leveling the playing field.

March 5, 2012

CALIFORNIA LABOR LAW

California Labor Law Case Settled for $316,000

San Francisco, CA Eight California labor law cases that were filed to recover unpaid minimum wage and overtime pay were settled, as California Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su secured a $316,000 award for the parties, according to a release from the state's department of industrial relations.

February 20, 2012

CALIFORNIA LABOR LAW

Cutting Costs Cuts into California Labor Law Violations

Eastvale, CA After 33 years of work as a hospital respiratory therapist, Bob, age 64, took stress leave (he went through a nasty divorce). Although he tried to return to work, Bob believes he was wrongfully terminated to save the hospital costs, and that is a violation of the California Labor Law.

February 13, 2012