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CAUTIONARY TALES EPISODE 19

Once again,Cal/OSHAhascited an employerfor the death of an employee resulting from ignored safety measures.

RESUMES GONE WILD

Human resources professionals have limited time and attention to review job resumes. According to an August 24, 2018 nationwideCareerBuilder surveyof more than 1,100 industry-wide hiring managers and HR professionals, the majority spend less than a minute looking over the typical offering.

WHAT’S THAT AGAIN?

The federalAmericans with Disabilities Act(ADA) and California’sFair Employment and Housing Act(FEHA) prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities. An employer may not refuse to hire an otherwise qualified person because of a disability unless it is an insurmountable impediment to performing the job in question.

BEGINNERS IN THE WORKPLACE

In today’s tight labor market, employers may be tempted to offer unpaid internships to high school or college students. Before doing so, employers should carefully evaluate whether such interns legitimately qualify as unpaid.

BACKGROUND CHECK GROUND RULES

Employers are already tightly regulated on obtaining an applicant’s or employee’s credit information. Companies may only seek consumer credit reporting agency disclosure on credit-worthiness, credit standing or credit capacity in connection with ● specified job positions including managerial executives, ● jobs involving regular access to financial records, and ● positions for which credit background checks are required by law.

DADS ARE PEOPLE TOO

TheU.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission(EEOC) hasannouncedthe $1.1 million resolution of its class action lawsuit against world-leading cosmetic company Estée Lauder.

STICK TO THE SCHEDULE

It would seem unnecessary to have a written policy requiring workers to show up in order to keep their jobs and be paid. Yet employers often experience problems with no shows and tardiness, so it’s best to issue clear written directives mandating attendance, laying out work hours and days, and the procedure for employees to notify the business when circumstances render it impossible to keep the schedule.

EVERY MINUTE COUNTS

Employers who require workers to perform short tasks before or after clocking out for their shift will now need to rethink this practice, even if it takes only an extra minute or so per day to boot up or turn off a computer and lock the door on the way out.

CAUTIONARY TALES EPISODE 17

TheLabor Enforcement Task Force(LETF), a coalition of California agencies directed by theDepartment of Industrial Relations(DIR), has been targeting the “underground economy” for violation of employment laws since 2012. Members include theLabor Commissioner’s Department (Division of Labor Standards Enforcement),Cal/OSHA,Employment Development Department,Department of Insurance,Contractors State License Board,Bureau of Automotive Repair,Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, andDepartment of