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EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN

Taking a cue from theCalifornia Equal Pay Act(2016), San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors has passed a city-wide “Parity in Pay Ordinance” promoting gender wage equality by restrictions on what an employer can ask a job applicant on his/her pay history.

CAUTIONARY TALES EPISODE 1

California was among the first states to require a minimum hourly wage, 16 cents in 1916. Federal law finally joined the trend in 1938. Now, cities and counties are enacting ordinances for ever-higher minimums. See,The History of Minimum Wage Laws,andLocation, Location, Location…Location(July, 2017). Increasing overtime requirements go hand in hand. See,A Super-Sized McDonald’s Overtime Class Action Ruling(April, 2017).

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION … LOCATION

Covered employers must post an updated wage notice/bulletin where employees can read it easily. Click the above city/county link(s) to download the most current notice.

NEW TRANSGENDER RIGHTS IN THE WORKPLACE

California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing(DFEH)recently heeded Dylan’s lyric “the times they are a-changin’” and releasedRegulations Regarding Transgender Identity and Expression.

I-9 FORM REVISED YET AGAIN

The federal government requires employers to verify identity and work authorization of their employees using a Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) with certain supporting documentation.

IT’S ONLY MONEY

California’s Home Care Services Bureau (HCSB) – the licensing and oversight agency for Home Care Organizations (HCOs) employing registered caregivers (Home Care Aides [HCAs]) to private clients – has announced fee increases for HCO licenses and HCA registrations. SeeCalifornia Home Care Organizations Facing Unannounced Inspections and Possible Fees Increase.

THE STATE OF WORKPLACE HARASSMENT AND RETALIATION CLAIMS

TheCalifornia Department of Fair Employment & Housing(DFEH) has published its2016 annual reporton unlawful workplace discrimination, harassment and retaliation charges.

ASSISTING WORKER-VICTIMS OF STALKING, SEXUAL ABUSE AND OTHER TRAUMATIC INCIDENTS

CaliforniaLabor Code section 230prohibits all employers from terminating, discriminating or retaliating against employee victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking for taking time off for related court appearances.

NEW NOTICE POSTING REQUIREMENTS FOR BARBERS AND COSMETOLOGISTS

Starting July 1, 2017, California’sBoard of Barbering and Cosmetology(BBC)requires its licensees– including hair salons, nail salons, estheticians, and barbers — to post aspecial Labor Commissioner noticeon applicable employment laws.