New 2010 IRS Mileage Rate
On December 3, 2009, the IRS announced its 2010 standard deduction mileage rates (online at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=216048,00.html).  As of January 1, 2010, the IRS is decreasing the IRS standard employee mileage deduction for business use of a motor vehicle to 50 cents per mile.  (In 2009 the IRS mileage standard deduction was [...]

Flexibility Added to California Alternative Workweek Schedule

California law authorizes an alternative work week schedule (AWS) of workdays exceeding eight hours without overtime pay if certain criteria are met.  Classically, an alternative work schedule will be four 10-hour days, with three days off.  Health care offices are common candidates for an AWS.  Such flexible alternative [...]

EEOC Reports Workplace-Related Legal Charges Approach Record High
In a January 6, 2010 press release, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) divulged the number of workplace discrimination charges filed nationwide during fiscal year 2009 (October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009).  Cumulatively, the 93,277 charges filed in 2009 reached the second highest number in [...]

New Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9
All U.S. employers must complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual hired for employment in the U.S., including citizens and noncitizens.  Revised August 7, 2009, the new Form I-9 includes an updated list of acceptable documents that employees must present upon hiring.  The new form includes a note [...]

2010 Changes to Required Posters and Pamphlets
Required Postings: Per the California Chamber of Commerce’s informational web pages, California employers must conspicuously display required labor posters or notices where all employees may view them.  Several of the employer posters must also be displayed where job applicants can read them (e.g. polygraph protection and state and federal [...]

Compensation Used to Purchase Forfeited Restricted Stock not Deemed Earned Unpaid Wages
A November, 2009 California Supreme Court ruling affirmed that an incentive stock option plan which had not fully vested upon plaintiff employee’s resignation did not constitute earned but unpaid wages and the employer could lawfully require the employee to forfeit the stock and [...]