Posts by Adams Law
Forced or Asked to Sign an Arbitration Agreement at Work?
Why Does it Matter? Many employers ask (or require) employees to sign arbitration agreements. Once signed, the employee gives up their right to sue their employer in court over job-related issues such as wrongful termination, breach of contract, and discrimination. An employee who signs an arbitration agreement promises to pursue legal claims against the employer…
Read MoreThe United States Supreme Court Rules on the Gay Marriage Cases – Windsor & Hollingsworth
CBS NEWS: The gay rights movement saw a significant victory at the Supreme Court today, even as the court dodged the fundamental issue of whether marriage is a constitutionally-protected right for all couples, gay or straight. In a 5-4 ruling today in United States v. Windsor, the court struck down a provision of the 17-year-old Defense…
Read MoreGordon Ramsey’s Own Nightmare-A Class Action Lawsuit Against Fat Cow in LA
Jennifer Becerra, Montinique Dever, Andrea Bourke and Lauren Benge have filed a lawsuit on behalf of themselves and all other hourly, non-exempt current and former employees (“Class Members”), alleging that while working for the famed chef, he and his restaurant: “(1) required Class Members to work through their meal and rest periods without paying compensation…
Read MoreCan Your Boss Access Your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or other Social Media Accounts?
California’s law regarding employer use of social media precludes an employer from requiring or requesting an employee or applicant to: (1) Disclose a username or password for the purpose of accessing personal social media; (2) Access personal social media in the presence of the employer; or (3) Divulge any personal social media, except an employer’s…
Read MoreComing Soon- Obama Administration’s Health Care Law Rules
Obama administration continues moving forward to implement health care law by releasing final rules on employment-based wellness programs WASHINGTON — The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury today issued final rules on employment-based wellness programs. The final rules support workplace health promotion and prevention as a means to reduce the…
Read MoreIs Your Boss Paying You Correctly Under a Piece Rate Wage Plan?
Piece-rate employees must be paid separately for work that does not fall within the scope of the work that is the subject of the piece rate. So, if you’re a brake mechanic and are paid by the brake job (or other repair), but also clean the shop, make appointments, open/close the shop or any other duties…
Read MoreSupreme Court Hears Oral Argument on Same-Sex Marriage – Hollingsworth v. Perry (March 2013)
Hollingsworth v. Perry (Docket Number: 12-144) Date Argued:03/26/13 For those of you following the same-sex marriage debate, the oral argument heard by the Supreme Court can be downloaded or played by clicking one of the below: Media Formats: MP3 Download Play Windows Media Download Play RealAudio 10 Download Transcript (PDF) View To download file: From…
Read MoreWhistleblower Protection for Hospital and Health Care Industry Employees
Health care facilities must comply with California Health and Safety Codes in order to ensure that patients and medical staff are not subjected to an unreasonable risk of health or safety within the facility. At times, hospital and other medical facility employees observe conditions that run the risk of creating a danger, but often worry…
Read MoreIs Tip Pooling or Tip Sharing Legal?
Tip pools and tip sharing are significant topics for employees in both the food service and hospitality industry. The Second Circuit’s Court of Appeals will soon clarify the the prohibition against participation by an employer’s “agents” in tip pools and sharing arrangements. The court’s certification order arose out of two class actions against Starbucks involving their “baristas.” In Barenboim v. Starbucks Corp.,…
Read MoreWHAT MEAL BREAKS ARE YOU ENTITLED TO TAKE IN CALIFORNIA?
Meal period general requirements: One 30-minute meal period for every five hours worked. The California Labor Code and various Wage Orders prohibit an employer from employing a non-exempt employee for more than five hours without providing an unpaid meal period of at least 30 minutes. If the employee works more than 10 hours per day,…
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