During these challenging financial times some employers are finding they need to temporarily reduce costs, including employee payroll.  Fortunately, the California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) has recently issued an opinion letter allowing employers to reduce exempt employee salaries in exchange for a shortened workweek.  This new August 19, 2009 opinion letter flatly contradicts [...]

Religion in the Workplace, Have Faith in the Law
Bill, a hospital supervisor, learned that one of his subordinates, Harvinder, has been wearing a miniature sword strapped to and hidden underneath her clothing. Harvinder is a baptized Sikh who wears the 4-inch dull and sheathed sword (called a kirpan) as a symbol of her [...]

Practical steps employers can take to monitor workplace meal periods.