Blog

22
Jun

Just how much water do you need in extreme heat?

If you’re planning to spend any time out in the extreme heat, even just resting, you’re going to want to drink one 16-ounce bottle of water per hour to keep your body hydrated. You should start hydrating well before you spend time in the sun. That means if you’re out during the hottest parts of the day, between 10 a.m.

Read more

21
Jun

7 Cities in California Have Adopted Sick Leave Laws

Sick leave laws continue to complicate employer’s administration, especially for those with multiple businesses in different cities or states. Last July, California passed a new sick leave law. Today, there are seven (7) states that have their own sick leave law. If that’s not enough, seven (7) ciities in California have passed their own laws including San Francisco, Oakland, Emeryville,

Read more

20
Jun

Accommodating Ramadan in the Workplace: Top 10 Tips

Muslims around the world are celebrating the month-long religious holiday of Ramadan from June 5 to July 5. As part of their observance, many Muslims are required to fast and refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. Many will also partake in daily prayers (up to five times a day, including before dawn and at sunset) and special

Read more

17
Jun

Mitigating Heat Related Illnesses

Next week it is projected to be well above 105 degrees in the valley. With all of the fun that come along with summer there is also a major increased risk factor of heat-related medical conditions due to heat stress. Every year thousands of heat-related worker sickness and fatality cases are reported and the numbers increase each year. What is

Read more

17
Jun

Are your restaurants in compliance? Major changes take effect in May for business first aid kits

On June 17, minimum requirements for business first aid kit contents change substantially for the first time in seven years. One industry supplier of such kits said that the new rule will knock thousands of businesses, including restaurants, out of compliance with the American National Standards Institute rules for the medical supplies each company must have on site under U.S.

Read more

16
Jun

DFEH Issues Guidance for California Employers on Transgender Employees

The Department of Fair Employment and Housing has issued new guidance for employers of transgender employees on complying with the Fair Employment and Housing Act. The guidance makes clear that employers must allow transgender employees access to restroom, shower, locker room and other such facilities that correspond with their gender identity. It also suggests that providing individual or unisex restrooms,

Read more

16
Jun

DFEH Settles Sexual Harassment Case against Sandhu Brothers Growers in Stanislaus County

The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has obtained a $75,000 settlement in a sexual harassment case filed on behalf of a female farmworker who worked for Sandhu Brothers, a sweet potato farming operation in Stanislaus County. The case stemmed from a complaint by a female farmworker that she was harassed by a supervisor while working for Sandhu

Read more

16
Jun

California Clamps Down on Smoking in the Workplace

While California has generally banned smoking in the workplace for some years, there are new rules extending that ban are effective June 9, 2016. The governor recently signed a package of bills that expanded already-existing smoke-free workplace protections. The new legislation includes: Raises the legal smoking age from 18 to 21, except for active military personnel; Treats the use of

Read more

15
Jun

San Diego Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance Approved by Popular Vote

Employers in the City of San Diego will need to review their current paid sick leave and minimum wage policies to ensure they comply with a voter-approved ordinance extending paid sick leave and raising the minimum wage for workers in the City. Proposition I, the “Referendum of Ordinance Relating to Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage to be Provided to

Read more

15
Jun

City of Los Angeles Approves Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

The Los Angeles City Council has passed a paid sick leave ordinance, which is slated to go into effect July 1, 2016 in conjunction with the previously passed minimum wage ordinance. The sick leave ordinance will require employers in the City of Los Angeles to provide paid sick leave benefits that exceed the benefits already mandated by California state law.

Read more