The I-9 “temporary flexibilities” that were born out of the COVID emergency expire today. Employers now have 30 days from today — or until August 30, 2023 — to get all of their I-9 forms into compliance for those employees (a) who were hired after March 2020, and (b) whose identification records were not physically… Read More
Posts Categorized In: Hiring, Discipline & Termination
California Expands Employee Whistleblower Protection
On May 22, 2023, the California Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision expanding employee whistleblower protection. In People ex rel. Garcia-Brower v. Kolla’s Inc., the Court held that the definition of the term “disclosure” in California Labor Code section 1102.5 includes reporting of a violation of a state or federal statute, or a violation of or… Read More
The “How” and the “What” of Crisis Communication
Let’s face it: the global health crisis brought about by COVID-19 isn’t going away anytime soon. Here in California, we are almost 6 months into “shelter-in-place,” with no signs of any major changes coming. For most companies, the earlier steps taken in response to the crisis were, understandably, tied mainly to operations and logistics (e.g.,… Read More
You’re Laid Off Due to Coronavirus – Now What?
Rising layoffs, budget cuts, and business closures are just a few of the widespread consequences of COVID-19. If you have been laid off as a result of the pandemic, you’re likely experiencing—among other things—some level of defeat and/or powerlessness. The emotional toll of a layoff can cloud an employee’s ability to pick up and forge… Read More
Re-Thinking Job Interviews
For the most part, job interviews are daunting for both the interviewer and the candidate. Each has only a limited amount of time to deliver their “pitch” and to make a positive, lasting first impression. It can be tricky on both sides to know how to make the most of the interview process. In a… Read More
The Essential Ingredient Now for Employers: Compassion
Many Bay Area counties have now extended the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order through May 31st. This new order affects employers and employees in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties, as well as those in the city of Berkeley. The extension of the stay-at-home order will no doubt spark even more… Read More
Most Interviewers Ask the Wrong Questions
Many people find themselves in the position to be interviewing prospective employees, without really having much training in how to conduct an interview. This often results in the interviewer asking boilerplate questions that the candidate has already been asked many, many times before. The result is a “canned” response that has been rehearsed and refined… Read More
Attracting and Keeping Millennial Employees
The tech boom seems to have brought about a major shift in what employees and candidates expect from their (prospective) employers. According to a February 2019 CNBC article, this is especially true amongst millennials. On one hand, employers—particularly those within the tech realm—are offering an increasing number of “work perks,” while, on the other hand,… Read More
Human Trafficking Training Required by End of 2019
By year end of 2019, California hotel and motel employers must train all of their employees about human trafficking – to raise awareness, teach employees how to spot victims, and provide guidance on what to do to help. As we pointed out in our January 2019 blog about new California employment laws, SB-970 mandates that… Read More
California Bans Hairstyle Discrimination
On July 3, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 188 — also known as the CROWN Act — and made California the first state in the country to outlaw discrimination based on “natural hair,” including afros, braids, twists, and locks. CROWN stands for Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural hair. According to… Read More
