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WHAT'S NEW IN 2024 1.5 Cents Increase, Annual IRS Standard Mileage Rate

The Internal Revenue Service hasannouncedits 2024optional standard mileage reimbursementrate for employee business use of a personal vehicle, effective January 1, 2024, up from 65.5 to 67 cents/mile.

CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 75 MAIS NO, CHEAPO French Restaurant Accused of Tip Theft

The federalDepartment of Labor(DOL) issuingMathias Wakrat and Jean-Christophe Febbrari, owners of Entre Nous French Bistro in Old Town Pasadena, for keeping hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and credit card tips intended for their staff to cover the restaurant's business expenses. DOL investigation also found Entre Nous misclassified some employees as independent contractors and failed to keep proper pay records.

NOW, MORE THAN EVER Inspired by a Great Friend, Helping Global Cares in Liberia, West Africa

In the memory of a dear friend Jan Silber, who recently passed, I am prompted to redouble our African outreach. Though she was never able to come to Liberia, Jan loved and generously supported our work with the Global Cares Academy and Orphanage.

CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 74 $5.5M TO SETTLE WAGE THEFT CLAIM Elderly Care Provider Fought Underpayment Citations for Five Years

The Labor Commissioner targets industries where "wage theft" -- any failure to legally and timely pay required wages, including paid sick leave andpremium pay for missed breaks-- is prevalent.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2024 CALIFORNIA'S EXPANDED PAID SICK LEAVE REQUIREMENTS Updated State Guidance and Notices

Effective January 1, 2024,Senate Bill 616expands the employer-provided paid sick leave benefits under theHealthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014(Act) from 24 hours or three days to 40 hours or five days.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2024 CALIFORNIA MINIMUM WAGE RATES INCREASES

Effective January 1, 2024, California minimum wage will increase to$16per hour for all employers, regardless of size.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2024 WAGE THEFT PREVENTION NOTICE UPDATES California Employers Must Increase Paid Sick Time and Sound the "State of Emergency" Alarm

California's "Wage Theft Prevention Act" requires most employers to provide nonexempt-from- overtime employees with specified wage-related information in writing (the notification) at the time of hire and within seven calendar days after any changes to:

CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 73 EMPLOYERS FACING PRISON TIME Prosecutors Targeting Garment Industry for Wage Theft

Wage theftoccurs when an employer pays an employee less then minimum wage, fails to pay overtime, takes workers' tips, does not permit meal and rest breaks, or requires work off-the-clock. Itcan also involvepaying wages late, not paying required paid sick leave, not paying timely final pay, or any other failure to pay all wages owed.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2024 COMPUTER SOFTWARE EMPLOYEE OVERTIME EXEMPTION RATES

California Labor Code section 515.5exempts certain computer software professionals from overtime compensation upon receipt of specified minimum compensation.