December 2016

In a first-of-its-kind criminal conviction in California, a San Diego restaurant owner has been sentenced to two years in jail for promising wages to immigrant workers but paying them only in tips. San Diego County Superior Court also ordered the employer to repay $20,000 in stolen wages and tips to six of the restaurant workers. California Labor Commissioner Julie A.

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Starting January 1, 2017. The Notice also provides the 2017 maximum standard automobile cost that may be used to compute the allowance under a fixed and variable rate (FAVR) plan. Specifically, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck will be: 53.5 cents per mile for business miles driven (down from 54 cents

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Effective January 1, 2017, Cal/OSHA will be utilizing a broader definition of “Repeat” violation under California’s Health and Safety Code.  This is significant for California employers because if Cal/OSHA finds a Repeat violation, the employer could initially be subject to a penalty of up to $70,000, and up to $124,709 or more when Cal/OSHA updates its penalties as required by

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National research indicates that health care workers are at a substantially higher risk of workplace violence than the average worker in another industry.  According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), from 2002 to 2013, the rate of serious workplace violence incidents (those requiring days off for an injured worker to recuperate) was more than four times greater

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For several years, California employers have been required to notify employees regarding the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Beginning January 1, 2017, new California law (AB 1847) requires those same employers to also notify employees that they may be eligible for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (“EITC”). The new law states that an employer must notify all employees that

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The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the nation’s tax season will begin Monday, Jan. 23, 2017 and reminded taxpayers claiming certain tax credits to expect a longer wait for refunds. The IRS will begin accepting electronic tax returns that day, with more than 153 million individual tax returns expected to be filed in 2017. The IRS again expects more

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The Los Angeles City Council has overwhelmingly approved a “ban the box” ordinance prohibiting any employer in the city with 10 or more employees from asking about a prospective employee’s criminal history until a conditional employment offer has been made. The ordinance also would apply to city contractors and employment agencies. While the measure still requires the signature of Mayor

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Beginning January 1, 2017, employers with 10 or more employees will be required to electronically submit employment tax return, wage reports, and payroll tax deposits to the Employment Development Department (EDD).   Employers are encouraged to enroll now in e-Services for Business.  This will allow you to start reporting online before this mandate starts.   For additional information about the

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New Minimum Wage Mandatory Poster Updates The California minimum wage will increase to $10.50 per hour on January 1, 2017 for businesses with 26 or more employees. Also effective January 1, 2017, new wage postings will be required for the cities listed below: · Oakland:             $12.86 · Palo Alto:            $12.00 ·

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Around the holiday season,  a lot of employers want to celebrate in some form and fashion with their employees. Most employers don’t realize their potential liability. Potential liability is almost always there, but some simple recommendations can go along with in limiting their liability including: Employers should consider hosting a holiday event outside of the traditional holiday party. A growing trend

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