Santa Barbara Employee Rights
2016 Employment Law Changes
New Laws Impact Your Rights at Work, Including the Equal Pay Act All of the new laws were effective on Jan. 1, 2016, unless otherwise noted. Wage & Hour California Fair Pay Act – SB 358 Governor Brown has referred to this new law as “the strongest equal pay law in the nation,” and we think…
Read MoreUpdate on California Employment Laws Recently Enacted
A number of changes to California Employment Law have taken effect or were recently amended. The laws are summarized below. If you are experiencing difficulties at work regarding these situations, or would like to speak with an attorney regarding your employment rights, please give us a call. Changes to the new law regarding Paid Sick…
Read MoreWhat are your employment rights when you become pregnant?
Pregnancy Discrimination — What is it? The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate because of “race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, or sexual orientation.” This includes “pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical condition.” Pregnancy…
Read MorePregnancy Discrimination, Pregnancy Leave in California and Your Rights at Work
Pregnancy Discrimination — What is it? The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate because of “race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, or sexual orientation.” This includes “pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical condition.” Pregnancy…
Read MoreNew IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rates
The IRS announced the 2014 optional standard mileage reimbursement rates. Beginning January 1, 2014, they decrease one-half cent from the current rates in effect, and are as follows: 56 cents per mile for business miles driven; 23.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and 14 cents per mile driven in service of…
Read MoreSenate Bans Discrimination Against Gay and Transgender Workers
The Senate passed a historic piece of gay rights legislation that would ban workplace discrimination against gay and transgender employees. A 64-32 vote, the passage of this legislation marks another milestone victory for the gay rights movement in America. The 64 to 32 vote to approve the Employment Non-Discrimination Act marked the first time federal…
Read MoreDomestic Workers Bill of Rights, Minimum Wage Increase, and More, in Store for California Employees Beginning January 2014
In October 2013, Governor Brown signed several significant bills that increase and protect the earnings of low-wage and immigrant workers. After years of stagnation and prior unsuccessful attempts, the state minimum wage will finally see an increase after the approval of AB 10 (Asm. Alejo). The new law raises the $8 an hour minimum wage…
Read More8 Significant Employment-Related Bills Signed by Governor Brown in 2013
As of today, the Governor has signed 8 significant employment-related bills into law, covering: Minimum wage increase, from $8 to $10/hour, over two years Change in definition of sexual harassment to provide broader protection for employees Recovery of defense attorney’s fees in wage claims only if bad faith Expansion of coverage of Paid Family Leave Mandatory…
Read MoreRetaliating Against an Undocumented Worker Who Complains about Unlawful Activity isn’t Tolerated in California
On October 5, 2013, Governor Brown signed SB 666 (Steinberg) into law. SB 666 does the following: It overturns MacDonald v. State of California (discussed here), in which the Court of Appeal held that an employee must exhaust the administrative remedy set forth in Labor Code section 98.7 before pursuing a civil claim for retaliatory discharge…
Read MoreTwo Pro-Employee Laws Signed by Governor Brown in September 2013
1) Increase in the State Minimum Wage Governor Brown signed AB 10. This bill raises the minimum wage in two $1.00 increments, from the current $8 per hour rate to $9 per hour effective July 1, 2014. Then to $10 per hour effective January 1, 2016. 2) Paid Family Leave Coverage Expanded SB 770 was…
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